Press freedom in decline says Reporters Without Borders

Advocacy group Reporters Without Borders in its latest annual report released on Wednesday has said that the World Press Freedom deteriorated in 2015 and warned of "a new era of propaganda".

Based on indicators such as media independence, self-censorship, the rule of law, transparency and abuses, the World Press Freedom Index ranks 180 countries. Secretary General of the Paris-based group, Christophe Deloire said that this year's index saw a decline in all parts of the world.

"All of the indicators show deterioration. Numerous authorities are trying to regain control of their countries, fearing overly open public debate," the Guardian quoted him as saying.

"Today it is increasingly easy for powers to appeal directly to the public through new technologies, and so there is a greater degree of violence against those who represent independent information,? he added.
Deloire highlighted that "new era of propaganda" was on rise.

"We are entering a new era of propaganda where new technologies allow the low-cost dissemination of their own communication, their information, as dictated. On the other side, journalists are the ones who get in the way," said Deloire.

Highlighting that situation in Latin America was at grave in Latin the reports also threw light on institutional violence in Venezuela and Ecuador, organised crime in Honduras, impunity in Colombia, and corruption in Brazil.

Among the lowest ranked countries was Syria, at 177th, North Korea at 179th and last placed was Eritrea. India ranked an abysmally low at 133, while Finland retained its top spot for the sixth consecutive year, followed by the Netherlands and Norway.