RSF has been a “sharp decline” for the freedom of the press … – TF1

RSF has been a "sharp decline" for the freedom of the press … – TF1

“2014 is the year of brutal regression for freedom of information. 2/3 of 180 countries (listed in RSF , Ed) are worse than in the previous edition” says RSF in its annual report. “There has been an overall deterioration linked to very different factors, with the existence of wars of information, the action of non-state groups that behave like despots of information”, said the . AFP Christophe Deloire, RSF Secretary-General

Countries considered the most dangerous in the world for journalists by RSF, Syria and stagnates at the 177th out of 180-just behind China (176th) – in front of Turkmenistan (178th ), North Korea (179th) and Eritrea (180th), a quartet unchanged since last year. Iraq is 156th 111th class and Nigeria. These countries have “seen this year the appearance of ‘black holes’ of information,” RSF has recalled that “the extension of atrocities” committed by the organization Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, “prompted the flight of journalists.”

Italy, which saw “including threats from the mafia and procedures abusive defamation explode”, fall to his share of 24 seats in the 73 rank. “From the Boko Haram Islamic State group, through Latino drug dealers or the Sicilian Mafia, motivations vary, but the modus operandi is the same: to silence by fear or retaliation,” wrote RSF

.

Conflicts of Interest in Europe

For the fifth consecutive year, Finland retains the top spot, followed this year by Norway and Denmark, which slides into the top three. However, several small European states fall in the ranking: Luxembourg pass from 4th to 19th place, Liechtenstein from 6th to 27th place and Andorra from 5th to 32nd, the largest drop. “These are fairly comparable situations with a proximity between political, economic and media that generates extremely frequent conflicts of interest and that continue to take importance,” says the NGO.

Bulgaria (106th, -6 places) retains the last among the countries of the European Union. Another bad European student, Greece 91st class (8 places), behind Kuwait. For its part, France wins a place in the 38th – the ranking does not take account of the attack on January 7 against the drafting of Charlie Hebdo, says RSF. The NGO still regrets a “secret sources too little protected” in France. Reporters Without Borders also notes “the intensification of violence against reporters and netizens covering the protests,” citing the case of Ukraine, Hong Kong, Brazil and Venezuela, losing 21 seats ( 137th). African states, despite the increase in Côte d’Ivoire (86th, 15 places), still among the lowest placed. Congo loses 25 places including (107th) and Libya 17 places (154th)

This ranking is based on seven indicators. Level abuses extent of pluralism, independent media, environment and self-censorship, legal framework , transparency and infrastructure.