Russia is 148th in Reporters Without Borders ranking of world press freedom

Reporters Without Borders has published its annual World Press Freedom Index for 2016. The France-based organization says there is a worldwide trend of greater pressure being placed on journalists by authorities and private business.

In the 2016 World Press Freedom Index, the freedom of press situation is considered “serious.” Russia is ranked 148 out of 180 countries. This is four places up from 2015 (last year Russia ranked 152). 

However, press freedom in Russia is, in fact, less than it was in 2015. Russia's relative climb in 2016's rankings reflects a global reduction in press freedom. Other countries nearby Russia's ranking include Malaysia (146th), Pakistan (147th), Mexico (149th), Tajikistan (150th) and Turkey (151st).

“While TV channels continue to inundate viewers with propaganda, the climate has become very oppressive for those who question the new patriotic and neo-conservative discourse or just try to maintain quality journalism. The leading human rights NGOs have been declared ‘foreign agents.’”

Countries with the highest press freedom rankings are Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark and New Zealand.

The countries with some of the least press freedom include Azerbaijan (163rd), Iran (169th), Saudi Arabia (165th), China (176th) and Syria (177th).

Reporters Without Borders is an international non-profit, non-governmental organization that promotes and defends freedom of information and freedom of the press. The organization has consultant status at the United Nations.