#6 Italy

Italy’s internet penetration rate, which was approximately 57 percent at the end of 2011, has drastically decreased over the period making the country to lag behind many other European countries over internet freedom. The use of mobile phones is huge, which has added to the internet access rate. The Italian government however do not indulge in political censorship of online speech, there were no bloggers punished in the year 2011 and 2012. In 2012 several degrees which were supposed to curb internet freedom in the country were either expired or simply put on hold.

#5 Hungary 

Hungary post 1990 had dial-up connections, making internet available to its citizens. And as of 2000 the country’s broadband connections shot up and the price of internet packages decreased. The country has 59 percent internet penetration now as per the study. The constitutional court in December 2011 decided that the country’s restrictive new media regulations will not be applicable to online news sources and portals, which makes the country fifth most free country with respect to internet freedom.