Albania last in the region in media ranking

TIRANA, Oct 22 – Reporters Without Borders published its 2008 annual report setting Albania at the 79th post, the last in the region. Only Ukraine, Moldova, Turkey, Georgia, Russia and Belarus were behind.
Press freedom is deteriorating throughout Europe, according to the report. Death threats and harassment are still common in central Europe and the Balkans, a region struggling to recover from a violent past that haunts every social and political upheaval. The media is still very polarized, with journalists suspected of taking sides and thus becoming targets of violence.
Reporters Without Borders compiled the Index by asking the 14 freedom of expression organizations that are its partners worldwide, its network of 130 correspondents, as well as journalists, researchers, jurists and human rights activists, to answer 50 questions about press freedom in their countries. The Index covers 168 nations.