![\"Global](\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Global-press-freedom.jpg\")
<\/a>Global press freedom<\/p><\/div>\n
In the Americas<\/strong>, the regional average score worsened to its lowest level in five years, and just 2% of the population in Latin America lived in Free media environments.<\/p>\n In Asia-Pacific<\/strong>, only 5% of the region\u2019s population had access to Free media in 2013.<\/p>\n Eurasia<\/strong> saw the “overwhelming majority” of people in the region – 97% – living in ‘Not Free’ media environments, while Europe<\/strong> enjoys the highest level of press freedom.<\/p>\n “But the regional (European) average score registered the second-largest drop worldwide in 2013,” Freedom House said.<\/p>\n In the Middle East and North Africa<\/strong>, only 2% of the region\u2019s people lived in Free media environments, while the vast majority, 84%, lived in ‘Not Free’ countries or territories.<\/p>\n Closer to home, in Sub-Saharan Africa<\/strong>, the majority of people – 56% – live in countries with Partly Free media.<\/p>\n “Improvements in the legal and economic spheres in 2013 were balanced by declines in the political category,” Freedom House said.<\/p>\n Sub-Saharan Africa press freedom<\/p><\/div>\n Looking at South Africa, with a media freedom score of 33, the country ranks 69th out of 197 countries, overall, and second in Sub-Saharan Africa after Namibia.<\/p>\n Over the past decade, from a worst level in 1993 (38), South Africa’s level of press freedom improved to its best index score of 23 in 2000 and 2001, followed by a gradual decline to 35 in 2012.<\/p>\n 2013 marks a two index point improvement from last year’s report.<\/p>\n “South Africa\u2019s recent trend of decline was halted as the controversial Protection of State Information Bill \u2014 which would have allowed government officials and state agencies to withhold a wide range of information in the national interest or on national security grounds \u2014 remained stalled after President Jacob Zuma failed to sign it in 2013,” Freedom House said.<\/p>\n Freedom house classifies South Africa’s press as Partly Free, while internet freedom is marked as completely free.<\/p>\n South Africa press freedom<\/p><\/div>\n According to Freedom house, Egypt, Syria, India and the Central African Republic are amongst the countries which have seen a decline in press freedom since 2009, led by Greece which saw the biggest jump, losing 17 points.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, African nations such as Algeria, Malawi, Senegal, C\u00f4te d’Ivoire, Niger and even Zimbabwe all improved their press freedom between 2009 and 2013, led by Libya and Tunisia which improved 32 points.<\/p>\n The most censored region in the world<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Censorship dogs China\u2019s gaming console market<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n SABC accused of censorship<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Governments get aggressive with censorship: Google<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a>South Africa dodged a bullet<\/h3>\n
<\/a>More on censorship<\/h3>\n