Georgia progresses freedom of information
Tweet 
Share
Georgia has jumped up the ranks in an international survey about freedom of information.
The country improved 16 places this year's World Press Freedom Index, published by international organisation Reporters Without Borders.
The annual Index measures the degree of freedom of information in particular countries. The research described the quality of freedom of journalists, media-organisations and the internet. The document also evaluated Governments' actions for providing and protecting free information.
This year, Reporters Without Borders researched 180 countries and ranked them from most to least free. Georgia places 84th,, which was a significant improvement compared to last year’s 100thposition.
Armenia was named in 78th place, which was a slight decrease from its 74th placing in 2013. Meanwhile the data ranked Ukraine as 127th, (one spot lower than last year), Russia placed 148th and Azerbaijan as 160th.
As for the leaders of the survey, the top three countries remained the same as last year: Finland, Netherlands and Norway.
Following the release of the information, director of the Reporters Without Borders In Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Johann Bihr, spoke to Radio Free Liberty about the situation is post-Soviet countries.
He noted the overall situation in such countries was not very promising and the degree of freedom was weakening. However, Bihr stressed that in Georgia, Armenia, Moldova and Kyrgyzstan, there was significantly less pluralism and state censorship.
"But this does not mean that there are no challenges in these countries,” he added.
In particular, strong reflection of social polarisation in the media and editorial independence remained a "very big challenge," he said.
In addition, Bihr positively evaluated last year's elections in Georgia and Armenia and said they were held in a "much calmer environment.” He noted violence against journalists was very rare in both countries and progress had been observed in terms of impartiality of the Public Broadcaster.
The report stated the country’s media environment had improved and was found to be "independent and balanced”. Television continued to be the main medium and primary source of information for 80 percent of the population.