The 2016 edition of the World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders is out, and the news is not good. According to the group, “there has been a deep and disturbing decline in respect for media freedom at both the global and regional levels.” This trend, which started in 2013, shows no sign of abating.
The interactive map of the index allows the reader a detailed view of problems in individual countries. The freest media continue to be those of northern European countries, with Finland leading the way, followed by the Netherlands, Norway, and Denmark. Central Europe has seen a decline as Poland (ranked 47) and Hungary (ranked 67) have passed new media laws that impact state-run media.
