Economic Freedom Indicator: Reporters Without Borders

The Economic Freedom Index for reporters, based on the data from Reporters Without Borders, ranks countries by the level of economic freedom available to journalists. This index evaluates the financial independence of the media, the availability of resources for independent journalism, and the influence of economic factors on press freedom.

Which countries have the highest levels of economic freedom for journalists?

Countries like Norway (92.46), the Netherlands (89.08), and Sweden (86.08) top the rankings, offering journalists financial independence and the ability to operate free from economic pressures. These nations are known for their stable economies, strong legal frameworks, and policies that support a free press, allowing media outlets to thrive without government or corporate control.

Other countries with high economic freedom for journalists include Finland (83.8), Denmark (85.17), and Ireland (82.11), where the media enjoys the benefits of robust financial resources, competitive media markets, and an absence of economic constraints on journalistic activities.

What challenges do countries with low economic freedom for journalists face?

Countries such as Turkmenistan (20.39), Vietnam (17.16), and North Korea (21.57) have some of the lowest levels of economic freedom for journalists, where state-controlled media dominates and independent reporting is stifled by economic barriers and censorship. In these nations, economic dependence on government funding or restrictive laws severely limits journalistic autonomy.

Other countries like Syria (25.49), Bahrain (25.25), and Eritrea (26.96) also face similar challenges, with economic conditions that hinder the growth of independent media. Journalists in these countries often work under constant threat of government interference or economic consequences that limit their ability to report freely.

How does economic freedom for journalists vary globally?

Globally, there is a significant divide in terms of economic freedom for journalists. While European countries, particularly in Scandinavia and the Benelux region, dominate the top rankings due to their strong democratic traditions and support for independent media, many countries in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East show severe economic constraints for the press. Nations with authoritarian governments often have tightly controlled media sectors where journalists depend on state funds or face economic retaliation for reporting independently.

In regions such as Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa, countries like Brazil (52.59) and Nigeria (51.96) reflect a mixed scenario, where media outlets experience some economic freedom but still face significant financial challenges, such as reliance on government advertising or external funding sources that could influence journalistic independence.

What factors contribute to high economic freedom for journalists?

High economic freedom for journalists is typically found in countries with robust market economies, diverse media ownership, and a strong rule of law that protects journalistic endeavors. In these countries, media outlets can operate without the risk of economic retaliation from the government or large corporate interests. Furthermore, countries with transparent business practices, well-established legal protections for press freedom, and diverse revenue models for media outlets offer a fertile ground for independent journalism to thrive.

Why is economic freedom for journalists important for global peace?

Economic freedom is essential for ensuring that journalists can report independently, without fear of financial retaliation or government control. A free press enables transparency, holds power accountable, and promotes the free flow of information, which is critical for the functioning of democratic societies. In countries where economic freedom for journalists is limited, media outlets may be subjected to state or corporate pressure, which undermines the credibility and independence of journalism. Protecting economic freedom for the press is vital for maintaining global peace, as it ensures that all voices can be heard and that governments remain accountable to their citizens.

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

19
Country Index
1 Vietnam 17.16
2 Turkmenistan 20.39
3 North Korea 21.57
4 Kuwait 24.51
5 Bahrain 25.25
6 Djibouti 25.49
6 Syria 25.49
7 Azerbaijan 25.91
8 Eritrea 26.96
9 Cambodia 27.84
10 Iraq 28.04
11 Sudan 28.43
12 Turkey 29.41
13 China 29.51
14 Yemen 30.39
15 Iran 30.51
16 Morocco 30.62
17 Angola 31.79
18 Egypt 31.96
19 Maldives 32.84
20 Tanzania 33.33
20 Laos 33.33
20 Honduras 33.33
20 Saudi Arabia 33.33
21 Oman 33.82
22 India 34.15
23 Libya 34.31
24 Jordan 34.64
25 Rwanda 34.8
25 Brunei 34.8
26 Tunisia 34.97
27 Colombia 35.05
28 Albania 35.13
29 Lebanon 35.69
30 Cuba 35.73
31 Venezuela 35.74
32 Cameroon 35.99
33 Kazakhstan 36.03
34 Bangladesh 36.11
35 Algeria 36.13
36 Russia 36.17
37 Madagascar 36.71
38 Equatorial Guinea 36.93
39 Tajikistan 37.09
40 Pakistan 37.25
41 Zimbabwe 37.58
42 Greece 37.66
43 Bulgaria 37.91
44 Uzbekistan 38.4
45 Mali 38.82
46 Zambia 38.89
47 Mongolia 38.95
48 Serbia 39.15
49 Liberia 39.61
50 Uganda 39.8
51 Benin 39.83
52 Guatemala 40.09
53 Philippines 40.2
53 Palestine 40.2
54 Kenya 40.52
55 Myanmar 40.98
56 El Salvador 41.47
57 Niger 41.6
58 Paraguay 42.16
59 Singapore 42.4
60 Peru 42.81
61 Ethiopia 43.14
62 Hungary 43.94
63 Eswatini 43.98
64 Nigeria 44.12
65 DR Congo 44.36
66 Somalia 44.49
67 Nepal 44.61
67 Indonesia 44.61
68 Malta 44.77
69 Lesotho 44.85
70 Afghanistan 44.93
71 Fiji 45.1
71 United Arab Emirates 45.1
72 Nicaragua 45.49
73 Bolivia 45.72
74 Hong Kong 45.89
75 Guinea 46.08
75 Senegal 46.08
76 Slovenia 46.41
77 Mozambique 46.51
78 Gabon 46.57
79 Togo 46.86
80 Mauritania 47.06
81 Georgia 47.17
82 Kyrgyzstan 47.25
83 Mexico 47.35
84 Chile 47.48
85 Malawi 47.6
86 Belarus 47.67
87 Sierra Leone 47.9
88 Ghana 47.94
89 Haiti 48.18
90 South Sudan 48.32
91 Armenia 48.53
91 Sri Lanka 48.53
92 Burundi 48.82
93 Central African Republic 49.02
94 Romania 49.24
95 Comoros 49.72
96 Argentina 49.8
97 Mauritius 49.9
98 Qatar 50
99 Kosovo 50.28
100 Botswana 50.44
101 Bhutan 50.49
102 Croatia 51.07
103 Papua New Guinea 51.31
104 Thailand 51.47
105 Panama 51.63
106 Dominican Republic 52.45
107 Brazil 52.59
108 Malaysia 52.94
108 Chad 52.94
109 Cyprus 53.12
110 Taiwan 53.4
111 Belize 53.92
112 North Macedonia 54.95
113 Poland 55.02
114 Italy 55.04
115 Uruguay 55.08
116 Andorra 55.39
117 South Korea 55.81
118 Japan 56.32
119 Tonga 56.86
120 Israel 57.52
121 Moldova 57.95
122 Ivory Coast 58.01
123 Montenegro 58.04
124 Burkina Faso 58.33
125 Guyana 58.82
126 Gambia 59.22
127 Seychelles 59.41
128 Spain 60.33
129 Trinidad and Tobago 60.78
129 Suriname 60.78
130 Ecuador 61.6
131 Austria 61.85
132 Belgium 62.09
133 Ukraine 63.48
134 South Africa 64.1
135 Czech Republic 65.52
136 Iceland 68.35
137 Australia 68.49
138 France 68.87
139 United States 69.76
140 Liechtenstein 69.93
141 Costa Rica 70.59
142 Namibia 70.78
143 Portugal 71.02
144 Jamaica 71.37
145 Luxembourg 71.94
146 Canada 72.22
147 Samoa 72.55
148 Switzerland 72.79
149 Latvia 73.97
150 Timor-Leste 74.51
151 United Kingdom 74.71
152 Slovakia 75.16
153 Estonia 76.75
154 New Zealand 77.45
155 Lithuania 77.65
156 Ireland 82.11
157 Germany 82.31
158 Finland 83.8
159 Denmark 85.17
160 Sweden 86.08
161 Netherlands 89.08
162 Norway 92.46

Data from Reporters Without Borders

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