SL ranked 165 in 2014 WPF Index

12 February 2014 12:39 pm - 27 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka had been ranked 165th in the list of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index 2014, Reporters without Borders said in its annual report.

This trend constitutes a growing threat worldwide and is even endangering freedom of information in countries regarded as democracies. Finland tops the index for the fourth year running, closely followed by the Netherlands and Norway, and just as last year, Finland and Eritrea were placed at first and 180th respectively.

The report further revealed that India had been ranked 140th in the 2014 World Press Freedom Index. At the other end of the index, the last three positions were once again occupied by Turkmenistan, North Korea and Eritrea. This year’s index covers 180 countries, one more than last year. The new entry, Belize, has been assigned an enviable position (29th).

There are many examples of governments abusing the “fight against terrorism.” In Turkey (154th), dozens of journalists have been detained on this pretext, above all those who cover the Kurdish issue. In Sri Lanka, that was placed 165th, (- 2), the army shapes the news by suppressing accounts that stray too far from the official vision of “pacification” in the former Tamil separatist strongholds, Reporters without Borders said.

It said that in Israel (96th), the territorial integrity that was imperative, often suppresses freedom of information about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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Comments - 27

sarat Wednesday, 12 February 2014 03:02 PM

Another word , you are just fine with current level of press freedom in the country? Our citizens are turning into bunch of Village Idiots.... I know we are better than that.

Ruwan Thursday, 13 February 2014 10:31 AM

Our Govt. does not need ANY help to achieve that. They are well and truly on the path by themselves!

Calistus Jayatilleke Thursday, 13 February 2014 10:07 AM

We are fast approaching the 180th position surpassing pariah nations such as North Korea and then we can declare ourselves as the Miracle of Asia.

Ruwan Thursday, 13 February 2014 10:00 AM

Who is to blame for our ranking? This corrupt Govt. of course!

pol ibba Thursday, 13 February 2014 06:13 AM

With the kind of press we have it is dangerous to give them freedom. That is what this ranking says.

interceptor Thursday, 13 February 2014 05:32 AM

Lap Top Journalism....!!!!!!!

lkboy Thursday, 13 February 2014 05:28 AM

I just read it as 'WTF' index.

Suq Madique Thursday, 13 February 2014 05:21 AM

Seems another case of punishment for not towing the Int'l community line....if we abide by all their demands we will be #1.

ind Thursday, 13 February 2014 04:42 AM

See the color pattern in each country. Very clearly identify that West-ally good. Non-west ally Bad. That is the difference.

Don Bandula Thursday, 13 February 2014 03:57 AM

15 points ahead of the "last man"...eh?Congratulations Sri Lanka!!!

ABC Thursday, 13 February 2014 03:34 AM

We should collectively aim to achieve 180th position! Pl help the govt to achieve the target!!

Bawanis Kalubaba Thursday, 13 February 2014 03:02 AM

No its wrong, it should be 180th place out of 180 countries.

Vibash Wednesday, 12 February 2014 01:14 PM

Edward Snowdon told the world about the freedom in those super free countries. Another manipulation of so called "freedom Hippocrates'! Good Luck for them.

RamUK Wednesday, 12 February 2014 02:59 PM

time for celebrations (not 180)....may be we should look if there is any list documented by the mighty China we may be second behind them....

Truth Wednesday, 12 February 2014 02:40 PM

Press freedom and spying are two different things.. In Sri Lanka the reporters would have been killed had they reported a similar news. But in the US news reporters were allowed to report about Snowdon!!!

sarat Wednesday, 12 February 2014 02:38 PM

So I guess we have fallen behind countries like Zimbabwe and North Korea when it comes to journalistic freedom. After all there could not be more than 168 countries in this entire earth. Why are we so afraid to press freedom? Then again ,when was the last time we as a nation truly had any press freedom????

nalaka Wednesday, 12 February 2014 02:35 PM

In 2013 we were 163th... we lost by 2 this year.

investigator Wednesday, 12 February 2014 02:34 PM

one of the last numbers.be happy very inteligent voters.

Prometheus Wednesday, 12 February 2014 02:29 PM

No surprises. And as usual Scandinavian countries take the top spots.

Mike Wednesday, 12 February 2014 02:25 PM

Rating as expected soon to worst -more than a wonder to see 165th Position with the Culprit with all the thuggery they should have been the last due to all the past and ongoing crimes against the innocents and theft

KING Wednesday, 12 February 2014 02:24 PM

we should be the no 1, we give one way free ticket to journalist !!! buhhaaaa

Lokka Wednesday, 12 February 2014 02:19 PM

165th place is more than enough when considering the biased journalism carried on by some in this country.

wickrama Wednesday, 12 February 2014 02:17 PM

Don't be stupid. Snowden is not from Finland or Norway.

And he was not talking about press freedom of USA. He exposed spying programs.

With foolish people like you, SL has no future.

Saman Wednesday, 12 February 2014 02:01 PM

Hureee,

freedom Wednesday, 12 February 2014 01:44 PM

it should be 180th

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SL ranked 165 in 2014 WPF Index

Comments - 27

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