ARMENIA LEADER IN SOUTH CAUCASUS IN 2014 WORLD PRESS FREEDOM INDEX
02.12.2014 17:01 epress.am
Conflicts in various countries had a negative impact on freedom
of information and journalists, according to the latest report by
Reporters Without Borders, the 2014 World Press Freedom Index.
According to the report, in some countries the "tendency to interpret
national security needs in an overly broad and abusive manner" has
led to "the detriment of the right to inform and be informed. This
trend constitutes a growing threat worldwide and is even endangering
freedom of information in countries regarded as democracies."
This year's report analyzes 180 countries: the Commonwealth of
Independent States, including Armenia, are in the "Eastern Europe
and Central Asia" section.
The region's four best-placed countries in this year's index are
the same as last year: "Moldova, Georgia, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan
all enjoy a significant degree of pluralism and relatively little
state censorship," reads the report. "But the considerable social
polarization is reflected in the media and the climate for journalists,
who are often harassed by pressure groups. Given that the political
orientation of individual media usually coincides with that of their
owners, it would seem that respect for the editorial independence of
media employees is still limited."
Furthermore, Reporters Without Borders found that the 2013 elections in
Georgia and Armenia were "calmer" than in the past: "Violence against
journalists was rare. Armenia's state broadcaster has progressed as
regards impartiality but the electoral environment exacerbated the
ongoing information war in the privately-owned media -- a war in
which the authorities have a clear advantage."
Armenia dropped four places compared to last year and occupies 78th
place in the 2014 index. In terms of press freedom, it is the leader
in the South Caucasus and the surrounding region. Georgia is in 84th
place; Russia, 148th; Turkey, 154th; Azerbaijan, 160th; and Iran,
173rd.
The top 10 countries in terms of press freedom are Finland, the
Netherlands, Norway, Luxembourg, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Denmark,
Iceland, New Zealand, and Sweden. At the bottom are Turkmenistan,
the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and Eritrea.
http://www.epress.am/en/2014/02/12/armenia-leader-in-south-caucasus-in-2014-world-press-freedom-index.html
02.12.2014 17:01 epress.am
Conflicts in various countries had a negative impact on freedom
of information and journalists, according to the latest report by
Reporters Without Borders, the 2014 World Press Freedom Index.
According to the report, in some countries the "tendency to interpret
national security needs in an overly broad and abusive manner" has
led to "the detriment of the right to inform and be informed. This
trend constitutes a growing threat worldwide and is even endangering
freedom of information in countries regarded as democracies."
This year's report analyzes 180 countries: the Commonwealth of
Independent States, including Armenia, are in the "Eastern Europe
and Central Asia" section.
The region's four best-placed countries in this year's index are
the same as last year: "Moldova, Georgia, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan
all enjoy a significant degree of pluralism and relatively little
state censorship," reads the report. "But the considerable social
polarization is reflected in the media and the climate for journalists,
who are often harassed by pressure groups. Given that the political
orientation of individual media usually coincides with that of their
owners, it would seem that respect for the editorial independence of
media employees is still limited."
Furthermore, Reporters Without Borders found that the 2013 elections in
Georgia and Armenia were "calmer" than in the past: "Violence against
journalists was rare. Armenia's state broadcaster has progressed as
regards impartiality but the electoral environment exacerbated the
ongoing information war in the privately-owned media -- a war in
which the authorities have a clear advantage."
Armenia dropped four places compared to last year and occupies 78th
place in the 2014 index. In terms of press freedom, it is the leader
in the South Caucasus and the surrounding region. Georgia is in 84th
place; Russia, 148th; Turkey, 154th; Azerbaijan, 160th; and Iran,
173rd.
The top 10 countries in terms of press freedom are Finland, the
Netherlands, Norway, Luxembourg, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Denmark,
Iceland, New Zealand, and Sweden. At the bottom are Turkmenistan,
the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and Eritrea.
http://www.epress.am/en/2014/02/12/armenia-leader-in-south-caucasus-in-2014-world-press-freedom-index.html