=> ISLAMABAD – The monarchical states and war-torn co
ISLAMABAD – The monarchical states and war-torn countries havb much better world ranking in press freedom than the ‘enÂlightened state’ of President PerÂvez Musharraf, as a new study has revealed that Pakistan grabbed 152nd position out of 169 countries.
Reporters Without Borders (RWB), an international non-government organization, that advocates freedom of the press, in its 2007 world ranking, placed Pakistan at 152nd position while UAE & Saudi Arabia, two states run under monarchy, find 65th and 148th positions respectiveÂly. Pakistan in the last five years despite government’s inflated claims of bestowing media more freedom has seen tremendous drop in its position in terms of press freedom.
In 2002 Pakistan was occupying 119th position in the said report. RWB compiles and publishes an annual ranking of countries based upon the orÂganization’s assessment of their press freedom record.
Intriguingly, many highly inÂdebted African third-world counÂtries like Ghana, Mozambique, Uganda, Chad and Ethiopia have better positions in the freedom of press ranking report. Ghana is at 29th, Mozambique at 73rd, Uganda at 96th, Chad at 113th and Ethiopia is at 150th position.
The most alarming fact of the report is that the war-torn Afghanistan with hundred of warÂlords and rampant lawlessness holds the better position than atomic Pakistan as Afghanistan is at the 142nd position, ten points above Pakistan. Another war ravaged country Sudan has been placed on 140th position in the world ranking.
RWB’s report is based on questionnaire sent to partner organizations of RWB and its 130 correspondents around the world.
Source: The Nation
Date:12/2/2007
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