Philippines ranked 141st in 2015 World Press Freedom Index

Although  up eight places from its 2014 ranking, the Philippines continues to be among those countries with “very difficult”  press situations in the world, according to the Paris-based press freedom watch group Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF- Reporters Without Borders).

The Philippines ranked 141^st out of the 180 countries surveyed by RSF in its 2015 World Press Freedom Index from its 2014 Ranking of  149^th with a total score of 41.19 points.

The country received an “Abuse Score” of 61.36. The abuse score “reflects the intensity of the violence and harassment to which journalists and other news and information providers were subjected during the year.”

RSF has been publishing the World Press Freedom Index since 2002.  A country’s total score is based on seven categories: Pluralism, Media Independence, Environment and Self-Censorship, Legislative framework, Transparency, Infrastructure, and Abuses. (See http://fr.rsf.org/IMG/pdf/methodology-en.pdf) The first six categories are based on data gathered by RSF from its partner-organizations based in the 180 countries.

Seven other Southeast Asian nations were among the list of countries with difficult press situations.  Vietnam and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic were among the 20 countries with a “very serious (press) situation,”  while Timor Leste was said to have “noticeable problems.”

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