COMMENT: Whenever Israel is challenged, its defenders tout it as the "only democracy" in the Middle East (conveniently forgetting Turkey and Lebanon). Well the "only democracy" is and always has been low on the list of press freedom, and somebody once said a free press is essential to a workable democracy.

By Gili Eizkovitch Haaretz Correspondent and Haaretz Service

Israel placed 93 out of 175 on an international list ranking freedom of press released on Tuesday, dropping 47 spots since last year.

The list was compiled by 'Reporters without Borders', an international organization funded by private firms and donations, which monitors press freedom violations around the world.

Of the 175 countries on the list, Kuwait, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates received higher ranking than Israel for their countries' freedom of press.

Israel's dramatic drop since last came as a result of its press regulations dictated to international media during the Gaza offensive earlier this year.

"During its military offensive Cast Lead from 27 December 2008 to 18 January 2009, Israel banned foreign media from the Gaza Strip for 'security reasons,'" said the report.

"This sealing of the territory constituted a serious press freedom violation. Six journalists were killed, two of them while working, and around 15 were wounded in the conflict," said the report.

Israel placed 44 on the list in 2007, and in 2008 it was ranked 46.

Nevetheless, said the report, Israel's freedom of press is quite high compared to others in the region. "Despite military censorship [Israel's] press still enjoys total freedom that is unequaled in the region," said the report.

Last update - 21:43 20/10/2009

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1122370.html