East Asian and Central Asian countries ranked very low in an international comparison of media environments in 2005, as documented in an annual survey conducted by Reporters Without Borders. North Korea (167th), Burma (163rd) and Turkmenistan (165th) found their way at the bottom for having repressive media policies. Privately-owned media, for example, are forbidden in these countries. China is 159th, Vietnam is 158th, while Laos ranks 155th. Pacific countries also ranked low, with Fiji in 60th place and Tonga in 63rd place. Ranking high in the report are the countries of Western Europe: Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Iceland, Norway and the Netherlands. Not far behind are countries in Africa and Latin America, some of which are newly-established democracies, such Benin and Namibia tied in 25th place, El Salvador in 28th, Cape Verde in 29th, Mauritius in 34th, Mali in 37th, Costa Rica in 41st and Bolivia in 45th).

Source: Reporters Without Borders. 2006. North Korea, Eritrea and Turkmenistan are the worlds black holes for news. Retrieved on May 10, 2006 from <http://www.rsf.org/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=554>