NZ in top 10 for media freedom

New Zealand is among the top 10 countries in the world for media freedom but its Pacific neighbours still rank poorly, according to media watchdog group Reporters Without Borders.

The ninth annual World Press Freedom Index, released today, ranked New Zealand eighth of 178 countries surveyed. It is the third time New Zealand has appeared in the top 10 since the index began in 2002.

Fiji was ranked lowest in the Pacific region, at 149th, reflecting the military regime's continual assault on media freedom.

In the past year, news websites were temporarily shut down, journalists were detained by police, and the regime decreed all media must be 90 per cent locally owned, sparking the reluctant sale of the country's oldest newspaper, the Fiji Times.

Reporters Without Borders said Fiji's ranking was deceptive, having risen three places despite the government's anti-freedom stance.

"The year 2009 had been so tragic, with soldiers invading news staff offices, that the year 2010 could only seem to be somewhat more tranquil," the report said.

Australia was ranked 18th, down two from last year but ahead of Pacific neighbours Papua New Guinea at 42nd, Tonga at 87th and Samoa at 111th.

In the wider Asia-Pacific region, the watchdog group praised Taiwan and South Korea for noteworthy gains, but cautioned that the region as a whole had received a low ranking for yet another year.

It noted the prevalence of violence from non-governmental groups and censorship under totalitarian regimes.

Thailand, India and the Philippines all dropped more than ten places after journalists were killed or wounded while covering unrest and conflicts.

Ranked first-equal overall were northern European countries Finland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland, which all received perfect scores.

Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Jean-Francois Julliard said while the latest index contained some welcome surprises, it also highlighted some sombre realities.

"The defence of media freedom continues to be a battle, a battle of vigilance in the democracies of old Europe and a battle against oppression and injustice in the totalitarian regimes still scattered across the globe."

- NZPA