International organization protecting press Reporters Sans Frontiers (Reporters Without Borders) has published a traditional index of mass media freedom in 167 world countries on the eve of New Year. The index is based on the analysis of situation of freedom of media and journalists, violation of their rights and freedoms, legislation in field of press, attitude of authorities towards media and general atmosphere in the country. (18-DEC-2005)
According to index of 2005, situation in Azerbaijan has worsened and the country moved from 136 in 2004 to 141st place in 2005. If last year Azerbaijan´s index constituted 49.67, this year it is equal to 50. This index on based on number and character of violation of rights and freedoms of media and journalists. The main factors that negatively affected situation of media in Azerbaijan were Elmar Huseynov´s murder in March 2005. “This murder demonstrates violence and prosecution of journalists in this country. Attacks on press and journalists have intensified before and after November 6 parliamentary elections,” reads the report.
According to the index, Armenia occupied 102 (26.00) place, Georgia 99th place (25.17) on level of freedom of media. Among CIS member-states situation is worse than in Azerbaijan only in Belarus (152), Uzbekistan (155 place) and Turkmenistan (165 place). Situation is the worst in North Korea (167 place). Iran occupies 164th place, Turkey 98th and the Russian Federation 138th place.
Journalists feel the best in Denmark, Finland and Island, where there are actually no problems with mass media.
