Media Freedom worldwide retreats in authoritarian states [1]
Thursday, April 27, 2017 - 17:24
Media Freedom worldwide is in the worst state ever seen, according to the 2017 World Press Freedom Index, released this week by the Reporters Without Borders.
“Media Freedom has retreated wherever the authoritarian strongman model has triumphed,” stated the report.
The overall level of media freedom constraints and violations worldwide is reported to have risen 14% in the span of five years.
The Reporters Without Borders has compiled and evaluated annually since 2002 the level of freedom available to the media in 180 countries.
The 2017 World Press Freedom Index highlights the danger of a tipping point in the state of media freedom, in leading democratic countries.
In the Pacific New Zealand dropped from 5th position in 2016 to 13th in 2017. Tonga also dropped from 37th in 2016 to 49th in 2017.
On the other hand Australia rose from 25th in 2016 to 19th in 2017.
Samoa, the highest ranked Pacific Island, rose from 29th in 2016 to 21st in 2017. PNG also rose from 55th in 2016 to 51st in 2017; while Fiji improved from 80th in 2016 to 67th in 2017.
The UK dropped from 38th in 2016 to 40th in 2017; while the USA dropped from No. 41st in 2016 to 43rd in 2017.
Japan maintains its position at 72 during 2016 and 2017.
China maintained its position at 176 in 2016 and again this year.
North Korea, however, dropped from 179th in 2016 took over the lowest rank of 180th from Eritrea.