Reporters Freedom: Global Score Overview

The Reporters Freedom Globally rankings, based on the RSF Index, evaluate countries by their level of press freedom and the state of journalism. This ranking highlights countries with free press environments and those where media freedom is restricted due to censorship, violence, and political pressure.

Which countries have the most press freedom?

Countries like Iceland (83.19), Norway (95.18), and Sweden (88.15) top the rankings, showcasing their strong press freedom protections, low levels of government interference, and a free, independent media. Other nations, such as Finland (87.94), Denmark (89.48), and Ireland (89.91), also rank highly, with their robust legal frameworks and commitment to upholding journalists' rights.

New Zealand (84.23), Switzerland (84.4), and Portugal (84.6) round out the top ten, known for their strong democratic institutions, transparent media policies, and a high degree of media independence. These countries provide a safe and open environment for journalists to report without fear of censorship or violence.

What challenges do countries with low press freedom face?

At the bottom of the rankings, countries like North Korea (21.72), China (22.97), and Vietnam (24.58) demonstrate severe restrictions on press freedom. These nations maintain tight control over the media, with government censorship, harsh penalties for journalists, and limited access to independent reporting.

Other nations, including Iran (24.81), Turkmenistan (25.82), and Syria (27.22), also have highly restricted media environments, where journalists face threats, imprisonment, and violence for reporting against the government. Countries like Eritrea (27.86) and Myanmar (28.26) face similar challenges, with authoritarian regimes limiting free speech and press freedom.

How does press freedom vary globally?

The global landscape of press freedom is marked by a sharp divide. Western and Nordic countries dominate the top rankings, benefiting from strong democratic traditions, independent media systems, and legal protections for journalists. Meanwhile, regions in the Middle East, Asia, and parts of Africa are home to countries with severe restrictions on press freedom, where censorship, violence, and government control are rampant.

Emerging economies like India (36.62) and Nigeria (49.56) show moderate press freedom but still face significant challenges, such as political pressure, violence against journalists, and legal barriers to independent reporting. Countries like Russia (34.77) and Turkey (33.97) also grapple with growing restrictions on press freedom due to political crackdowns.

What factors contribute to high press freedom rankings?

High press freedom rankings are typically associated with democratic governance, strong rule of law, and minimal government interference in media operations. Countries with a free press prioritize transparency, protect journalists' rights, and provide mechanisms to hold the government accountable. They also have independent media outlets that offer diverse perspectives and foster public debate.

Why is press freedom important for positive peace?

Press freedom is crucial for fostering transparency, accountability, and social stability. A free press empowers citizens by providing them with accurate information and the ability to participate in democratic processes. In contrast, countries with restricted press freedom often face greater challenges related to corruption, human rights abuses, and political repression. The Reporters Freedom Global ranking emphasizes the importance of protecting journalists and ensuring a free, independent press for a peaceful and prosperous society.

Reporters Freedom Globally By Country January 2023 (Index, January 2023)

Country Index
1 North Korea 21.72
2 China 22.97
3 Vietnam 24.58
4 Iran 24.81
5 Turkmenistan 25.82
6 Syria 27.22
7 Eritrea 27.86
8 Myanmar 28.26
9 Cuba 29
10 Bahrain 30.59
11 Saudi Arabia 32.43
12 Honduras 32.65
13 Yemen 32.78
14 Iraq 32.94
15 Egypt 33.37
16 Turkey 33.97
17 Russia 34.77
18 Bangladesh 35.31
19 Djibouti 35.87
20 India 36.62
21 Laos 36.66
22 Venezuela 36.99
23 Nicaragua 37.09
24 Belarus 37.17
25 Palestine 37.86
26 Oman 37.87
27 Kuwait 38.84
28 Tajikistan 39.06
29 Afghanistan 39.75
30 Azerbaijan 39.93
31 Pakistan 39.95
32 Libya 40.22
33 Sudan 40.83
34 Cambodia 42.02
35 Jordan 42.79
36 United Arab Emirates 42.99
37 Morocco 43.69
38 Tanzania 44.02
39 Brunei 44.2
40 Somalia 44.24
41 Hong Kong 44.86
42 Colombia 45.23
43 Cameroon 45.58
44 Uzbekistan 45.73
45 Algeria 45.74
46 Sri Lanka 45.85
47 Kazakhstan 45.87
48 Uganda 46.08
49 Philippines 46.21
50 Rwanda 46.58
51 Ethiopia 47.7
52 Singapore 47.88
53 Mexico 47.98
54 Guatemala 48.12
55 Zimbabwe 48.17
56 Angola 48.3
57 DR Congo 48.55
58 Nigeria 49.56
59 Kyrgyzstan 49.91
60 Tunisia 50.11
61 Equatorial Guinea 50.35
62 Lebanon 50.46
63 South Sudan 50.62
64 Bolivia 51.09
65 Kenya 51.15
66 El Salvador 51.36
67 Burundi 52.14
68 Mali 52.29
69 Benin 52.44
70 Eswatini 52.66
71 Peru 52.74
72 Chad 53.73
73 Indonesia 54.83
74 Greece 55.2
75 Thailand 55.24
76 Qatar 55.28
77 Senegal 55.82
78 Paraguay 55.96
79 Mozambique 56.13
80 Madagascar 56.66
81 Maldives 56.93
82 Haiti 57.38
83 Central African Republic 57.56
84 Israel 57.57
85 Albania 57.86
86 Nepal 57.89
87 Gabon 58.12
88 Brazil 58.67
89 Serbia 59.16
90 Bhutan 59.25
91 Fiji 59.27
92 Mongolia 59.33
93 Zambia 59.41
94 Mauritania 59.45
95 Guinea 59.51
96 Malta 59.76
97 Chile 60.09
98 Malawi 60.34
99 Ecuador 60.51
100 Ukraine 61.19
101 Georgia 61.69
102 Comoros 62.25
103 Sierra Leone 62.55
104 Malaysia 62.83
105 Hungary 62.96
106 Bulgaria 62.98
107 Togo 63.06
108 Panama 63.67
109 Japan 63.95
110 Lesotho 64.29
111 Liberia 64.34
112 Botswana 64.61
113 Mauritius 65.56
114 Ghana 65.93
115 Niger 66.84
116 Guyana 67.5
117 Papua New Guinea 67.62
118 Burkina Faso 67.64
119 Poland 67.66
120 Kosovo 68.38
121 Cyprus 68.62
122 Ivory Coast 68.83
123 Romania 69.04
124 Uruguay 70.33
125 Belize 70.49
126 Slovenia 70.59
127 Armenia 70.61
128 Suriname 70.62
129 South Korea 70.83
130 Gambia 71.06
131 United States 71.22
132 Tonga 71.29
133 Dominican Republic 71.88
134 Croatia 71.95
135 Italy 72.05
136 Argentina 73.36
137 Montenegro 74.28
138 North Macedonia 74.35
139 Andorra 75.05
140 Spain 75.37
141 Taiwan 75.54
142 Seychelles 75.71
143 Jamaica 75.89
144 Belgium 76.47
145 Trinidad and Tobago 76.54
146 Austria 77.3
147 Moldova 77.62
148 Australia 78.24
149 United Kingdom 78.51
150 South Africa 78.6
151 France 78.72
152 Costa Rica 80.2
153 Namibia 80.91
154 Germany 81.91
155 Luxembourg 81.98
156 Samoa 82.15
157 Iceland 83.19
158 Slovakia 83.22
159 Latvia 83.27
160 Canada 83.53
161 Czech Republic 83.58
162 New Zealand 84.23
163 Switzerland 84.4
164 Liechtenstein 84.47
165 Timor-Leste 84.49
166 Portugal 84.6
167 Estonia 85.31
168 Lithuania 86.79
169 Netherlands 87
170 Finland 87.94
171 Sweden 88.15
172 Denmark 89.48
173 Ireland 89.91
174 Norway 95.18

Data from Reporters Without Borders

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