RSF World Press Freedom Index: Pacific Islands on the rise
Independent press is today a reality in the Polynesian Kingdom of Tonga which has risen 19 places to 44 overall. According to the 2015 Reporters Without Borders (RSF/RWB) World Press Freedom Index, this progress is the strongest gains in the Pacific islands where the press has established its role as a counterweight to the government.
Fiji, where the first general elections were held in September last since the 2006 military coup, is also well placed in the report and has risen 14 places to 93rd.
Mongolia rose 34 places, the Index biggest jump. RSF said that globally, world press freedom has been in decline. Out of 180 countries surveyed for the 2015 WPF Index, 120 performed less well than in 2014.