Press freedom in South Africa not better, nor worse

MBOMBELA – As the United Nations celebrate World Press Freedom Day on May 3, South Africa has retained its position as 39th in the press freedom index.

The annual report, released by Reporters without Borders last month, shows the country remained at the same position as last year, out of 180 countries surveyed.

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In 2014 South Africa was ranked in 42nd place by the Press Freedom Index of Reporters Without Borders.

World Press Freedom Day was declared such to mark the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek, which saw African newspaper journalists make a statement of free-press principles in 1991.

• Read more: World celebrates not-so-free press