April 26 (SeeNews) - Media freedom has declined throughout Southeast Europe (SEE), but the erosion of the rule of law has been most visible in Macedonia, non-governmental organisation Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said in its latest World Press Freedom Index report released on Wednesday.
The survey ranked Macedonia 111th out of 180 countries worldwide, up seven positions compared to last year's edition.
"Defamation was removed from the criminal code in 2012, but prosecutions have been replaced by civil actions with the possibility of heavy fines and jail terms for reporters and media owners," the non-government organisation said.
"There were many reports of threats, violence, harassment, and intimidation of journalists during political demonstrations in 2016, but of those responsible, few were charged," it added.
RSF also noted that pressure from the ruling party forced some media outlets to censor themselves.
Slovenia remained the best ranked country in SEE, at the 37th spot, well ahead of Romania (46th), Bosnia (65th), Serbia (66th), Croatia (74th), Albania (76nd), Kosovo (82nd), Montenegro (106th) and Bulgaria (109th), the World Press Freedom Index 2017 showed.
The index is based on a questionnaire and on statistical data about abuses and acts of violence against journalists. The criteria evaluated in the questionnaire are pluralism, media independence, media environment and self-censorship, legislative framework, transparency, and the quality of the infrastructure that supports the production of news and information.