South Sudan has dropped by 15 positions in the World Press Freedom index this year.

It was in position 125 among 179 countries ranked last year by the media watchdog, Reporters without Borders.

But the situation has worsened, with the country falling to position 140 out of 180 countries ranked this year.

Reporters without Borders said the government has restricted journalists from freely covering issues linked to the conflict.

“President Salva Kiir’s threats against journalists in August 2015 were quickly followed by the murder of a reporter, Peter Moi, who was gunned down outside his office three days later,” the media watchdog said.

“Some journalists fled the country because they felt they were in danger.”

North Korea and Eretria are the worst in the ranking.