The Top 5 Countries with the Most Freedom of the Press

  Country Press Freedom Score % Change
1 Finland 7.52 - 1.12%
2 Norway 7.75 -1.23
3 Denmark 8.24 -0.81
4 Netherlands 9.22 -2.76
5 Sweden 9.47 -0.49
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Tags: Communications, Books, Magazines & Newspapers, Top 5 Most, High Income Countries, Europe

Sources:  Reporters Without Borders: 2015 World Press Freedom Index

List Notes: Data is the top 5 countries with the most freedom of the press for the year 2015. A lower score on the index means more freedom of the press. The scores are designed to reflect the degree of freedom that journalists, news media and netizens (Internet citizens) enjoy in each country, and the efforts made by the authorities to respect and ensure respect for this freedom. These rankings should not be seen as an indication of the quality of the media in the countries concerned. The following are the criteria categories used to formulate the ranked list:
  1. Pluralism: measures the degree to which opinions are represented in the media. Media independence: measures the degree to which the media are able to function independently of sources of political, governmental, business and religious power and influence.
  2. Media independence: measures the degree to which the media are able to function independently of sources of political, governmental, business and religious power and influence.
  3. Environment and self-censorship: analyses the environment in which journalists and other news and information providers operate.
  4. Legislative framework: analyses the impact of the legislative framework governing news and information activities.
  5. Transparency: measures the transparency of the institutions and procedures that affect the production of news and information.
  6. Infrastructure: measures the quality of the infrastructure that supports the production of news and information.
  7. Abuses: measures the level of violence and harassment during the period assessed.
Countries with the Most Freedom of the Press

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