ASMARA, Eritrea – Eritrea has been ranked last in the world in press freedom in an annual index and report released by Reporters Without Borders today.   Eritrea closed all private press in 2001 and has been consistently and harshly criticized by press freedom organizations. The press release issued by Reporters Without Borders said that “Eritrea deserves to be at the bottom.  The privately-owned press has been banished by the authoritarian President Issaias Afeworki and the few journalists who dare to criticise the regime are thrown in prison.”

Eritrea replaced North Korea in last place, and four other African countries – Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Libya, and Somalia – rank in the bottom 20 of 169 countries.  Mauritius and Namibia were tied for 25th place and were the highest ranking African countries.  South Africa, Cape Verde, Togo, and Mauritius also made the top 50.

Although the report was particularly critical of Eritrea, it also singled out cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Niger.

For more information, please see:

AllAfrica.com – Eritrea: Country Ranks Last in Press Freedom Index – 16 October 2007

AFP – Eritrea takes over as world’s worst for press rights – 16 October 2007

Voice of America News – Iceland First, Eritrea Last on World Press Freedom Index – 16 October 2007