30. 01. 2013

SERBIA 63. IN RSF 2013 WORLD PRESS FREEDOM INDEX

Paris, January 30, 2013 (B92) - Serbia has leaped up in the world press freedom index, occupying 63^rd position out of 179 countries. However, it still needs to make improvements in some areas, it was stated in the report published by the Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

In the last year's report of RSF, Serbia was occupying 80^th position. Croatia, due to join the EU in June, is in 64^th place, just behind Serbia, however, in both countries the situation is "mixed" when it comes to freedom of media, the RSF noted.

"Legislative reforms have brought an improvement, but it should not be forgotten that there are still many obstacles to overcome and old habits that are harmful to independent journalism still linger", it is stated in the report.

Slovenia is the only former Yugoslav republic occupying higher position than Serbia (35). Bosnia and Herzegovina has fallen down do 68^th place, while Montenegro and Macedonia are far behind in 113^th and 116^th place respectively.

As for other countries in the region, Albania is 102^nd, Bulgaria 87^th, Romania 42^nd and Greece 84^th in the index.

The same three European countries that headed the index last year hold the top three positions again this year. For the third year running, Finland has distinguished itself as the country that most respects media freedom. It is followed by the Netherlands and Norway, Luxembourg, Andorra and Denmark. Germany is in 17^th position, Great Britain 29^th, USA 32^nd, France 37^th, Russia far back in 148^th and China in 173^rd place.

Turkmenistan, North Korea and Eritrea are countries that occupy the last three positions again this year, the same as last year.