Reporters Without Borders (Reporters san frontiers) recently released its annual worldwide press freedom index for 2006 and ClickAfrique took a look to see how the African countries fared.

While the bottom half of the ranking is dominated by African countries, it is not all doom and gloom for all journalists on the continent, with some of the continent’s nations putting in impressive performances to beat the likes of the United States and the United Kingdom. In fact, eight of the top ten provided a more enabling environment for journalists than the United States.

The ten top performers on the continent have been profiled below with the 2006 world rankings in brackets.

10. Central African Republic (62) - The country’s private printed press openly criticise government policies and alleged corrupt practices. Most of the radio and TV stations are however state controlled and provide little coverage of opposition party activities, with the exception of the UN-sponsored Radio Luka, which broadcasts a more balanced view. The country took a step towards press freedom in 2004 by abolishing prison terms for press offences.

9. Botswana (53) – Botswana, which shares the same spot with the United States in the world rankings, has a constitution that provides for the freedom of expression and this is generally respected by the government. There is a long established tradition of lively and unrestrained public debate despite claims by government opposition of limitations of their ability to broadcast freely on the state–owned radio station.

7. Cape Verde (45) – While most of the media is state run, there is an active private and growing press media which operate in an environment where press freedom is guaranteed by law.

7. Mozambique (45) – The media is dominated by state owned radio, even though there are a number of private media outlets which are limit themselves to the urban centers. The press freedom is backed by the constitution is but is somewhat hindered by the threat of criminal libel laws.

6. South Africa (44) - The continent’s major media player in terms of the sheer size and diversity of its media outlets. Press freedom is guaranteed by the constitution, with the private media critical of government policies and state media now operating more independently than its apartheid days.

5. Mali (35) - Mali’s over 40 private newspapers and 50 private radio and TV stations operate quite freely despite the existence of laws which prevent the slandering of public officers, as they are hardly called upon.

4. Ghana (34) - Ghana’s press has frequently been hailed as one of the most free on the continent, with little evidence of government hindrance, as the lively and hugely competitive private media often criticises government policies.

3. Mauritius (32) – While private radio stations were only allowed in 2002, they along with other private media enterprises are often critical of government and opposition parties. Press freedom is backed by the constitution, along with freedom of expression.

2. Namibia (26) - Namibia’s constitution provides for press freedom and it is generally respected by the government. Broadcasters and the private press give treatment to the opposition, including views critical of the government.

1. Benin (23) – Africa’s best performer belongs to the tiny West African nation. Despite the use of sometimes harsh libel laws against journalists in the country, press freedom is considered to be in “very good shape” by the media rights body, Reporters Without Borders. The constitution also guarantees press freedom.