European countries monopolised the top 15 spots in an index measuring press freedoms released by a journalists' rights group, while Hong Kong slipped 19 places to equal 58th.
China ranked 163rd and was only rated more favourably than Myanmar, Cuba, Eritrea, Turkmenistan and North Korea, which again came in last. China held the 159th position last year.
Reporters Without Borders' 2006 Worldwide Press Freedom Index, released yesterday, is a survey of censorship, intimidation and violence against journalists.
It found Finland, Iceland, Ireland and the Netherlands the most media friendly.
Restrictions on civil liberties due to the 'war on terrorism' have undermined media freedom in the United States and Russia over the past year, the group said.
Denmark fell from first place last year to 19th after a Danish newspaper's publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed sparked Muslim outrage and threats against reporters.