Most of the movement in the World Press Freedom Index unveiled on April 20, 2016 by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is indicative of a climate of fear and tension combined with increasing control over newsrooms by governments and private-sector interests.

Decline on all fronts. The Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index ranks the performance of 180 countries according to a range of criteria that include media pluralism and independence, respect for the safety and freedom of journalists, and the legislative, institutional and infrastructural environment in which the media operate.

Dashed hopes after spring

Europe falls from its pedestal, no respite in the dictatorships

Obama effect in US, while Europe continues to recede Israel in free fall, Iran at gates of infernal trio

Only peace protects freedoms in post-9/11 world

Eritrea comes last, replacing North Korea, while China and Burma still rank near bottom

North Korea, Turkmenistan, Eritrea the worst violators of press freedom