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Press Freedom Declines Worldwide

New report sees losses in all regions for first time ever

By Jess Kilby,  Newser User

Posted May 2, 2009 6:55 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Press freedom declined worldwide last year for the seventh year in a row, and for the first time suffered losses in all regions, according to a new report by Freedom House. Slipping from “free” to “partially free” were Israel, Italy and Hong Kong, while Cambodia fell to “not free” status. Central and Eastern Europe saw the biggest overall drop in press freedom, reports AFP.

The report, funded by the US government and private groups, rated 195 countries and found 70 to be free—two less than the previous year. Sixty-one countries were partly free, and 64 were not free. The Middle East and North Africa continue to rank lowest, while gains were made in Bangladesh, the Maldives and Pakistan. Western Europe was found to have the highest levels of press freedom.

A Chinese police officer questions a journalist about a handout from the Reporters Without Border depicting the Olympic rings made from handcuffs in Beijing, China, Monday, Aug 6, 2007.
A Chinese police officer questions a journalist about a handout from the Reporters Without Border depicting the Olympic rings made from handcuffs in Beijing, China, Monday, Aug 6, 2007.   (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
A boy and his parents in a protest outside the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok, Thailand Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008. Burma was called the worst place in the world to be a blogger in a recent report.
A boy and his parents in a protest outside the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok, Thailand Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008. Burma was called "the worst place in the world to be a blogger" in a recent report.   (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)
Reporters Without Borders demonstrate against restrictions on journalists in China outside the Chinese embassy on August 8, 2008 in Berlin, Germany.
Reporters Without Borders demonstrate against restrictions on journalists in China outside the Chinese embassy on August 8, 2008 in Berlin, Germany.   (Getty Images)
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The journalism profession today is up against the ropes and fighting to stay alive, as pressures from governments, other powerful actors and the global economic crisis take an enormous toll.
- Freedom House Executive Director Jennifer Windsor

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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
kyleleitch
May 3, 2009 9:01 AM CDT
It is interesting how this article doesn't mention the press in the US and how 'free' it is.

May 3 is World Press Freedom Day
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Governments using economic crisis as excuse to strong-arm media
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World • Media

 
Israel • media • free speech • Hong Kong • Italy • journalism • Cambodia • freedom of press • Freedom House

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