11 Feb
2014
11 Feb
'14
6:08 p.m.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 11, 2014
Contact: Rohit Mahajan 202 530 4976 <mailto:mahajanr@rfa.org>
mahajanr(a)rfa.org
Radio Free Asia President Responds to Reporters Without Borders Press
Freedom Index
Seven of RFA's nine language services in the bottom 10 percent
WASHINGTON - In response to the release of Reporters Without Borders' 2014
World Press Freedom Index <http://rsf.org/index2014/en-index2014.php> ,
Radio Free Asia <http://www.rfa.org/english/> 's President Libby Liu noted
that the survey shows little change in the poor media environments of China,
Vietnam, North Korea and Laos, while Cambodia continued on its downward
trajectory with heightened press threats in the past year. The survey also
cited the slowdown of media reforms in Myanmar threatening the progress made
in recent years.
"This year's index paints a sobering portrait of RFA's countries as some of
the world's worst for journalism," Liu said. "In China and Vietnam, an
unrelenting crackdown continues on journalists, netizens, and cyberactivists
who venture beyond state-controlled media headlines.
"Myanmar, where RFA's on-the-ground presence has only strengthened over the
past several years, continues to shows promise but is also at risk of losing
ground.
"Of particular concern is the worsening situation in Cambodia, where RFA's
journalists have witnessed firsthand a pattern of intimidation, threats, and
unsubstantiated accusations of bias waged by the government. Unfortunately,
we anticipate that this pattern will continue."
The survey ranked North Korea second to last at 179 of the 180 countries
researched, with China at 175, Vietnam at 174, and Laos at 171. Cambodia was
ranked at 144, with continued signs of deterioration. Myanmar showed slight
improvement, ranking at 145 (up from 151 last year).
RFA <http://www.rfa.org/about/> provides accurate, fact-based news and
information via short- and medium-wave radio, satellite transmissions and
television, online through the websites of its nine language services, and
social media such as Facebook and YouTube, among other widely used platforms
in its countries of operation. RFA's language services are Mandarin,
Cantonese, Tibetan, and Uyghur, in China; Myanmar; Khmer (Cambodian);
Vietnamese; Lao; and Korean.
# # #
Radio Free Asia is a private, nonprofit corporation broadcasting and
publishing online news, information, and commentary in nine East Asian
languages to listeners who do not have access to full and free news media.
RFA's broadcasts seek to promote the rights of freedom of opinion and
expression, including the freedom to "seek, receive, and impart information
and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers." RFA is funded by
an annual grant from the Broadcasting Board of Governors.
Rohit Mahajan | Radio Free Asia | Media Relations Manager
<mailto:mahajanr@rfa.org> mahajanr(a)rfa.org | O: 202.530.4976 | M:
202.489.8021
