By Kumar Malhotra BBC South Asia Editor

Asia was one of the worst regions for journalists in 2002, the group Reporters without Borders, which campaigns for the rights of the press, says.

In a report published in advance of World Press Freedom Day, it highlights Bangladesh as the worst offender in South Asia.

Bangladesh was the "worst offender"

But it says there has been an improvement in the situation in Sri Lanka.

Asia had more journalists killed, attacked, threatened, arrested and imprisoned than any other area of the world, according to Reporters Without Borders.

And in South Asia, the report singles out Bangladesh for particular criticism.

Two reporters were murdered, at least 250 physically attacked or threatened with death, 20 newspaper offices or press clubs were attacked and 25 journalists were detained last year, it says.

Reporters without Borders describes the country as "by far the world's most violent" for journalists in 2002.

Nepal conflict

Elsewhere in South Asia, the group points to regional tension and civil conflict as the main threats to press freedom.

It says the conflict in Nepal between Maoist rebels and the armed forces had unprecedented repercussions for journalists.

Many were arrested, and some kept in detention without trial and tortured by the security forces.

It also says the Maoists killed at least one reporter and kidnapped three others.

Both Bangladesh and Nepal feature also on a list of more than 40 people, government or groups described as "predators" of the press - people who "murder, jail, abduct, censor, or torture anyone getting in their way - especially journalists."

Bangladesh's home minister is named as is King Gyanendra of Nepal and the Maoist leader, Prachanda.

India and Pakistan

Tension over Kashmir also caused problems for journalists, according to the group.

It gave the Indian and Pakistan governments a pretext for harassing journalists critical of state policy.

It cites in particular the case of Iftikhar Gilani, imprisoned in India for some six months because of his reports on Kashmir.

It also points to police action against the Tehelka.com website, which revealed a major corruption scandal in India.

In Pakistan, it says, investigative journalists - particularly for the English-language press, bore the brunt of threats from the security services.

There is some good news.

In Sri Lanka, the ceasefire between the government and Tamil rebels and ensuing peace talks allowed journalists to operate more freely, especially in getting access to previously closed areas controlled by the rebels.

And it notes that in Kabul, more than 100 publications appeared and several international stations were able to broadcast on FM, although the outlook was not so bright in the rest of Afghanistan.