Romania ranks 52nd in the 2015 World Press Freedom Index, out of 180 countries surveyed, with a score of 24.9. This means the country fell seven places from the previous year’s report, when it ranked 45th.

Romania’s neighboring Bulgaria is at number 106 in the ranking, with a score of 32.91. It fell six places from position 100 in the 2014 survey. Hungary ranks 65th, only one place down from the previous year.

Reporters Without Borders recently released its annual survey on press freedom around the world. The 2015 index reveals a drastic decline in freedom of information in 2014.

Three Scandinavian countries are on top of the list. Finland ranks first with a score of 7.52 (this country has been in first place for five years in succession), followed by Norway – 7.75 and Denmark with a score of 8.24.

“The 2015 World Press Freedom Index highlights the worldwide deterioration in freedom of information in 2014. Beset by wars, the growing threat from non-state operatives, violence during demonstrations and the economic crisis, media freedom is in retreat on all five continents,” reads the presentation.

The worst performers were Turkmenistan, North Korea and Eritrea.

The 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.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com