Bangladesh is a region where media freedom is “partially curbed,” a survey carried out by a non-government organisation based in the United States has said.
The report, released by Freedom House, said world press freedom hit its lowest level in a decade amid tensions in Egypt, Turkey and Ukraine.
“44% of the world's population are living in areas where media freedom is 'not free' and 42% regions have 'partly free' press liberty,” the survey said.
“The overall trends are definitely negative,” project director of the report Karin Karlekar said, a press release issued in this regard on Friday stated.
“We see declines in media freedom on a global level, driven by governments' efforts to control the message and punish the messenger,” he said.
Only five percent of the population in Asia-Pacific had access to free media in 2013, the report said.
Bangladesh, among 197 countries, was ranked 115 with 54 points in the list. The report said that the press freedom in the country was 'partly free.'
The United States remained in the ranks with 'free' press but fell in global rankings.
Press freedom deteriorated in India, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Thailand and several Pacific Island states. China was rated a country 'not free' for the media.
Freedom House is said to be a nonprofit, nonpartisan organisation that supports democratic change, monitors freedom and advocates for democracy and human rights.
A copy of the survey has been attached to this report for your viewing pleasure.