BBC News: Few gains for press freedom

BBC News: Few gains for press freedom: “Wednesday, 30 April 2008 13:02 UK

An annual survey of media freedom has reported a mixed picture in East Asia – with some losses and some gains.

The US-based Freedom House organisation says China tightened some restrictions in 2007, but also tolerated more investigative journalism into cases of official corruption.

The report noted gains last year in Thailand and Malaysia, but said Vietnam and Laos continue to fare poorly.

It ranked North Korea as the world’s most restricted media environment.

‘Moderate breakthroughs’

Freedom House reported that China made some progress in 2007 in allowing investigative journalists to carry out their work – in cases including corruption and enforced child labour.”

See the Freedom House Freedom of the Press 2008 report (pdf file).