Freedom of information is an extension of freedom of speech, a fundamental human right recognized in international laws.

How the Index is compiled



The degree of freedom available to journalists in 180 countries is determined by pooling the responses of experts to a questionnaire devised by Reporters Without Borders.



This qualitative analysis is combined with quantitative data on abuses and acts of violence against journalists during the period evaluated. Reporters Without Borders compiled this list of 180 countries by asking its partner organizations and its network of correspondents, as well as journalists, researchers, legal experts and human rights activists, to answer questions designed to assess a country's level of press freedom.



On the top and the bottom of the list was not much change compared to the years before.



TOP: Seven European countries, one from the southwestern Pacific (New Zealand) and two from the Americas, Costa Rica and Jamaica.



The United States is ranked 41, but accusations made by the President of the United States Donald Trump, that the media is the enemy of the American People, is a serious blow in the face of the freedom of the press. Those accusations made by the 'Leader of the Free World' is more than worrisome.



BOTTOM: Countries at the bottom of the list are those who are even more paranoid about freedom of opinion and freedom of the press, they are using censorship to suppress information and harassment, persecution and imprisonment of journalists to a great extent. State control of domestic media, and internet control are their favored means. These countries fear the "fourth estate", the power behind the media and the information they might provide to the public.



Eritrea (180 ), North Korea (179), Turkmenistan (178), Syria (177), China (176), Vietnam (175), Sudan (174), Laos (173), Djibouti (172), and Cuba (171).



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Gainers and Losers

Tunisia (96) climbed 30 places in the ranking, Sri Lanka (141) rose 24, Ukraine (107) gained 22 places, Costa Rica (6) gained 10, Switzerland (7) gained 13, Samoa ( 29 ) went up 11 places, Chile (31) gained 12, and Fiji (80) climbed 13 ranks.



Two countries ranking decreased 34 places, Tajikistan for stepping up pressure on the remaining independent media, and Brunei Darussalam for forced self-censorship on politics and religion.

Canada was downgraded 10 ranks because under former PM Stephen Harper reporters were forbidden from asking the prime minister unscheduled questions. Poland lost 29, for the country's new media law basically transformed public media into State media.



