7% of Asia-Pacific’s Population Access a “Free Press”

Today is World Press Freedom Day. (repost from May 3rd)

NEW YORK, – Press freedom suffered a substantial worldwide decline in 2003. A Global Survey of Media Independence, revealed that some of the most serious setbacks took place in countries where democracy is backsliding, such as in Bolivia and Russia, and in older, established democracies, most notably Italy.

Asia Pacific: Of 39 Asian Pacific countries, 17 (44%) are rated Free, 8 (20%) are Partly Free, and 14 (36%) are Not Free. While the region exhibited a relatively high level of press freedom, the Philippines, rated Free for the past six years, slipped back into the ranks of Partly Free countries in 2003, largely as the result of a sustained high level of violence against journalists. In Afghanistan, which saw the largest numerical improvement in 2002, media remain Not Free. Despite a continued expansion of independent print and broadcast media outlets in 2003, journalists remain subject to legal pressures as well as threats from political and military leaders. The percentage of the population having access to Free media in the Asia Pacific region which includes, Australia and New Zealand was reduced to just 7% in 2003.

Article Source: Global Press Freedom Deteriorates

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China is rated: Not Free

China has a score of 80% for the lack of press freedoms, ranked 9th most oppressive nation out of 193 (with another 5 nations) and the second in the Asia Pacific region after Laos.

Global Press Freedom Rankings
Regional Press Freedom Rankings

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Over all Look at Asia Pacific Region:

By Country:

17 Free Countries (44%)
8 Partly Free Countries (20%)
14 Not Free Countries (36%)

By Population

1,691,400,000 in Not Free Countries (47%)
1,604,800,000 in Partly Free Countries (46%)
230,340,000 in Free Countries (7%)

Free Pressdom Regional Data

Main Site: Freedom House