The pressure group Reporters Sans Frontieres (Reporters Without Borders) have published their 2010 world rankings for freedom of the press (1). The UK received its highest ever rating – 19th, but it is not known whether they were aware of the position in Scotland.
Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Jean-François Julliard said “We must also pay homage to the human rights activists, journalists and bloggers throughout the world who bravely defend the right to speak out.”
Sweden distinguishes itself by its Press Freedom Act, which has helped to create a particularly favourable climate for the work of journalists, by the strength of its institutions and by its respect for all those sectors of society including the media whose role in a democracy is to question and challenge those in positions of power.
The top 20 places in the world are held by:
Rank Country
1 Finland
– Iceland
– Netherlands
– Norway
– Sweden
– Switzerland
7 Austria
8 New Zealand
9 Estonia
– Ireland
11 Denmark
– Japan
– Lithuania
14 Belgium
– Luxembourg
– Malta
17 Germany
18 Australia
19 United Kingdom
20 USA
(1) http://en.rsf.org/spip.php?page=classement&id_rubrique=1034
