United States is not yet a leader in press freedoms, falling behind Europe

 According to a 2009 international ranking by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) the United States saw an improvement in press freedom in the last year and the country climbed up to Number 20 in the group's Press Freedom Index. The media expert noted that the shift in the Washington approach was likely influenced by the expectations of the presidency by Barack Obama in January after eight years under President George W. Bush. Meantime, European countries lost their upper positions.

The group expressed concerns about US attitudes towards media in Iraq and Afghanistan where journalists had been injured or arrested by the US military.

"President Obama may have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, but his country is still fighting two wars," the group said. "Despite a slight improvement, the attitude of the United States toward the media in Iraq and Afghanistan is worrying."

The index rated 175 countries where the United States fell slightly behind the Great Britain. On the other hand China occupied 168th position, Afghanistan was ranked 149 and Iraq 145.

Reporters Without Borders cited the new legislation supported by the House but that is yet to pass the Senate’s approval. The new law to allow journalists to protect their sources will enable better access to public information. Meantime, the group criticized violation of civil liberties during the Bush era in the name of the national security.

The top 13 places were occupied by the European countries led by Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Norway and Sweden. The index shows that France has dropped eight spots to 43th position with Slovakia down on 44th place and Italy down five spots on 49th position.

"Europe should be setting an example as regards civil liberties. How can you condemn human rights violations abroad if you do not behave irreproachably at home?" said Reporters Without Borders Secretary-General Jean-Francois Julliard.

A separate attention was drawn to Israel which lost 47 points and came to 93th position after Kuwait at No. 60, Lebanon at No. 61 and the United Arab Emirates at No. 86.

"Israel has begun to use the same methods internally as it does outside its own territory," said Reporters Without Borders.

But as a result of actions during Israel's war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip in December and January, Reporters Without Borders ranked the country at No. 150 for its "extraterritorial actions."

"The toll of the war was very heavy. Around 20 journalists in the Gaza Strip were injured by the Israeli military forces and three were killed while covering the offensive," it said.

At the bottom of the list were Turkmenistan, North Korea and Eritrea "where media are so suppressed they are nonexistent," said Reporters Without Borders.