ROG ranking: Deterioration of press freedom in Europe
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) released this year’s Press Freedom Index on Tuesday. Several European countries—including France, Italy, and Bulgaria—have dropped a few spots in the rankings. The organization is therefore warning that Europe could lose its long-standing role as a model.
"It is worrying to note that democratic countries such as France, Italy and Slovakia are losing more places in the rankings every year," Jean-François Julliard, ROG Secretary General, was quoted as saying in a press release. For example, France (43rd) has dropped eight places compared to last year, Italy (49th) has fallen five places and Slovakia (44th) has even slipped 37 places. Bulgaria (68th) is also showing a downward trend. This time, the south-eastern European country has fallen a further nine places and remains at the bottom of the EU countries. EU accession candidate Turkey dropped 20 places in the ranking to 122nd place, overtaking a number of EU states with parliamentary systems in Africa - Mali (30th), South Africa (33rd) and Ghana (27th) - and in Latin America - Uruguay (29th) and Trinidad and Tobago (28th).
Despite significant downward movements, European countries continue to occupy the majority of the top 20 places. The list is headed by Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Norway and Sweden. Switzerland is in 7th place, while Germany moved up two places to 18th. Europe should play a pioneering role in granting civil liberties, Julliard demands.
Despite significant downward movements, European countries continue to occupy the majority of the top 20 places. The list is headed by Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Norway and Sweden. Switzerland is in 7th place, while Germany moved up two places to 18th. Europe should play a pioneering role in granting civil liberties, Julliard demands.
Non-European countries
When looking at the development of non-European states, the major drops in the rankings of Iran and Israel are particularly striking: Iran (172nd) is at the bottom of the list, followed only by Turkmenistan (173rd), North Korea (174th) and Eritrea (175th) - all three states were already at the bottom of the list last year. Eritrea still does not allow independent media. Israel fell 47 places and is now in 93rd place, while the United States (20th) has risen 16 places since Barack Obama took office in January 2009.
