Greece is the lowest-ranked European Union country for press freedom, according to the annual World Press Freedom Index released on Tuesday.
The Index is published every year since 2002 by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and ranks 180 countries and regions according to the level of freedom available to journalists.
This year, Greece has replaced Bulgaria as the worst-performing EU nation and now ranks 108th on the list. Greece is down from 70th place in last year’s index.
According to RSF, Greece’s ranking is dependent on a number of factors including the fact that the country has intensified draconian laws against journalists in recent years.
READ MORE: New report claims Greek media is under threat.
Athens passed a new law last year that makes it an offense for citizens to spread “false information” and is punishable by up to five years in jail.
With regards to other countries, non-EU countries are among some of the worst offenders against press freedom. These are: China, Belarus, Russia, Iran, Myanmar and North Korea.
Australia has dropped from 25th place to 39th on the Index. The RSF said the “ultra-concentration of media ownership, combined with growing official pressure” endanger public-interest journalism in Australia.
READ MORE: On This Day: World Press Freedom Day.
Source: Politico.eu.
