Nepal's position improved in press freedom index; stands at 159th position

With the end of the 14-month long direct rule of King Gyanendra, Nepal has moved one position up in the annual press freedom index prepared and released by the Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a global media watchdog on Monday.

According to RSF, Nepal has moved up to 159the position from the 160th position in 2005, though it stands at the least position in South Asia.

The RSF hoped Nepal will gain a lot in the next year’s index as the success of the April popular movement has led to more basic freedoms in the country.

“Press freedom in Nepal (159th) has shifted according to the state of the fighting that has disrupted the country for several years. The ‘democatic revolution’ and the revolt against the monarchy in April this year led immediately to more basic freedoms and the country should gain a lot of ground in next year’s Index,” said a release issued by the global media watch organisation.

The three worst violators of free expression - North Korea, bottom of the Index at 168th place, Turkmenistan (167th) and Eritrea (166th) - have clamped down further, the global media watchdog said.

Northern European countries once again come top of the Index, with no recorded censorship, threats, intimidation or physical reprisals in Finland, Ireland, Iceland and the Netherlands, which all share first place.

Among the south Asian countries, Bhutan stood at the 98th position, India stood at 105th position, Afghanistan stood at 130th position, Bangladesh stood at 137th position, Sri Lanka stood at 141st position, Maldives stood at 144th position and Pakistan stood at 157th position.

The RSF compiles the Index by asking the 14 freedom of expression organisations that are its partners worldwide, its network of 130 correspondents, as well as journalists, researchers, jurists and human rights activists, to answer 50 questions about press freedom in their countries.

The Index covers 168 nations. Others were not included for lack of data about them. nepalnews.com pb Oct 25 06

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