Press Freedom Index Score 2008

The Press Freedom Index Score measures the level of media freedom in countries worldwide. A higher score indicates stronger press independence, essential for democracy and transparency. Understanding these scores helps highlight the importance of free expression in society.

167 data points•Updated 12/7/2025•World•Reporters Without Borders (RSF)•

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Complete Data Rankings

Rank
1	Eritrea	97.5 points
2	North Korea	96.5 points
3	Turkmenistan	95.5 points
4	Myanmar	94.38 points
5	Cuba	88.33 points
6	Vietnam	86.17 points
7	China	85.5 points
8	Iran	80.33 points
9	Sri Lanka	78 points
10	Laos	70 points
11	State of Palestine	66.88 points
12	Uzbekistan	62.7 points
13	Saudi Arabia	61.75 points
14	Libya	61.5 points
15	Syrian Arab Republic	59.63 points
16	Iraq	59.38 points
17	Afghanistan	59.25 points
18	Equatorial Guinea	59.25 points
19	Yemen	59 points
20	Belarus	58.33 points
21	Somalia	58 points
22	Pakistan	54.88 points
23	Zimbabwe	54 points
24	Azerbaijan	53.63 points
25	Congo, Democratic Republic of the	51.25 points
26	Eswatini	50.5 points
27	Egypt	50.25 points
28	Rwanda	50 points
29	Singapore	49 points
30	Tunisia	48.1 points
31	Ethiopia	47.75 points
32	Russia	47.5 points
33	Mexico	46.13 points
34	Philippines	45 points
35	Nepal	43.25 points
36	Gambia	42.75 points
37	Bangladesh	42.7 points
38	Sudan	42 points
39	Djibouti	41.5 points
40	Chad	41.25 points
41	Malaysia	39.5 points
42	Nigeria	37.75 points
43	Niger	37 points
44	Cameroon	36.9 points
45	Jordan	36 points
46	Cambodia	35.5 points
47	Colombia	35.5 points
48	Kazakhstan	35.33 points
49	Thailand	34.5 points
50	Oman	32.67 points
51	Morocco	32.25 points
52	Algeria	31.33 points
53	Georgia	31.25 points
54	India	30 points
55	Angola	29.5 points
56	Lesotho	29.5 points
57	Bolivia	28.2 points
58	Sierra Leone	27.75 points
59	Venezuela	27.33 points
60	Indonesia	27 points
61	Kyrgyzstan	27 points
62	Gabon	26.75 points
63	Côte d'Ivoire	26.5 points
64	Peru	26.25 points
65	Uganda	26 points
66	Tajikistan	25.5 points
67	Mauritania	23.88 points
68	Maldives	23.25 points
69	Armenia	22.75 points
70	Turkey	22.75 points
71	Guatemala	22.64 points
72	Guinea	21.5 points
73	Honduras	21.5 points
74	Republic of Moldova	21.38 points
75	Kenya	21.25 points
76	Bahrain	21.17 points
77	Burundi	21 points
78	Madagascar	21 points
79	Mongolia	20.83 points
80	Congo	20.75 points
81	Mozambique	20.5 points
82	Paraguay	20.5 points
83	Comoros	20 points
84	Guyana	19.75 points
85	Ukraine	19.25 points
86	Senegal	19 points
87	Central African Republic	18.5 points
88	Brazil	18 points
89	Dominican Republic	18 points
90	Tonga	18 points
91	Guinea-Bissau	16.33 points
92	Albania	16 points
93	Fiji	16 points
94	Bhutan	15.5 points
95	Ecuador	15.5 points
96	Qatar	15.5 points
97	Seychelles	15.5 points
98	Zambia	15.5 points
99	Haiti	15.13 points
100	Benin	15 points
101	Malawi	15 points
102	Tanzania	15 points
103	United Arab Emirates	14.5 points
104	Argentina	14.08 points
105	Botswana	14 points
106	Lebanon	14 points
107	Timor-Leste	13.75 points
108	Serbia	13.5 points
109	Burkina Faso	13 points
110	El Salvador	12.8 points
111	Kuwait	12.63 points
112	Bulgaria	12.5 points
113	Nicaragua	12.5 points
114	Panama	11.83 points
115	Chile	11.5 points
116	Montenegro	10 points
117	Togo	10 points
118	China, Hong Kong SAR	9.75 points
119	Liberia	9.75 points
120	Mauritius	9 points
121	Poland	9 points
122	Romania	9 points
123	South Korea	9 points
124	Croatia	8.5 points
125	Italy	8.42 points
126	Uruguay	8.33 points
127	North Macedonia	8.25 points
128	Bosnia and Herzegovina	8 points
129	Cabo Verde	8 points
130	South Africa	8 points
131	Spain	8 points
132	Taiwan	8 points
133	France	7.67 points
134	Cyprus	7.5 points
135	Ghana	7.5 points
136	Greece	7.5 points
137	Mali	7.5 points
138	Slovenia	7.33 points
139	Japan	6.5 points
140	Australia	6.25 points
141	Trinidad and Tobago	6.13 points
142	Suriname	6 points
143	Hungary	5.5 points
144	Namibia	5.5 points
145	United Kingdom	5.5 points
146	Costa Rica	5.1 points
147	Jamaica	4.88 points
148	Germany	4.5 points
149	Czech Republic	4 points
150	Lithuania	4 points
151	Netherlands	4 points
152	Portugal	4 points
153	Austria	3.5 points
154	Denmark	3.5 points
155	Canada	3.33 points
156	Belgium	3 points
157	Latvia	3 points
158	New Zealand	3 points
159	Slovakia	3 points
160	Sweden	3 points
161	Switzerland	3 points
162	Estonia	2 points
163	Finland	2 points
164	Ireland	2 points
165	Iceland	1.5 points
166	Luxembourg	1.5 points
167	Norway	1.5 points

↑Top 10 Countries

Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.

↓Bottom 10 Countries

Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.

Analysis & Context

Understanding the Press Freedom Index Score in 2008: A Global Overview

The Press Freedom Index Score serves as a vital measure of the level of media freedom across nations worldwide, reflecting the independence of the press and its role in fostering democracy and transparency. In 2008, the index offered a detailed picture of press freedom conditions globally, emphasizing the disparities between nations with robust press independence and those where media activities faced severe restrictions. The following sections explore significant data patterns, regional disparities, and the impact of political environments on press freedom in 2008, revealing the broader implications for democracy and societal development.

Regional Disparities in Press Freedom

A keen analysis of the Press Freedom Index Score in 2008 highlights stark regional disparities. Northern European countries, including Norway, Luxembourg, and Iceland, each with the lowest score of 1.5, exemplified exceptional media freedom, underscoring the region's commitment to journalistic independence and free expression. In stark contrast, countries like Eritrea, with a score of 97.5, and North Korea at 96.5, were at the bottom of the index, reflecting a severe lack of media freedoms.

The significant gap between these scores underscores the ongoing challenges that many nations face in establishing an environment where the press can function without fear of censorship or persecution. The high scores of countries such as Turkmenistan (95.5) and Myanmar (94.38) further illustrate the oppressive environments that hinder journalistic activities and the dissemination of information.

Impact of Political Environments on Press Freedom

Political environments have a profound influence on press freedom, as evidenced by the 2008 Press Freedom Index Score. Countries with authoritarian regimes typically recorded higher scores, indicating restricted press freedoms. Cuba (88.33), Vietnam (86.17), and China (85.5) all experienced significant curtailments on press activities, often as a means of maintaining governmental control over public narratives and suppressing dissent.

Conversely, nations with stable democratic institutions and strong legal frameworks for protecting journalistic practices, like those in Northern Europe, demonstrated considerably lower scores. These countries benefit from laws that safeguard press freedom, enabling independent media to flourish and facilitate transparency and accountability within the government.

Year-over-Year Trends and Notable Changes

The 2008 data also reveals notable year-over-year changes in press freedom scores. On average, countries experienced a 12.0% decrease in scores, reflecting a global trend towards increased press restrictions. Noteworthy increases were observed in Niger (+11.50, 45.1%) and Sri Lanka (+10.50, 15.6%), indicating deteriorating conditions that likely stemmed from political instability and conflicts impacting media operations.

On the flip side, countries like Burundi (-22.40, -51.6%) and Maldives (-21.92, -48.5%) witnessed significant improvements. These decreases in scores suggest successful efforts in restoring press freedom, potentially through political reforms or improved media policies emphasizing greater openness and transparency.

Global Implications for Democracy and Development

The Press Freedom Index Score not only serves as an indicator of media freedom but also acts as a barometer for democracy's health in any given nation. Countries with low scores, reflecting restricted media environments, often encounter challenges in political accountability, leading to issues such as corruption and human rights abuses. Meanwhile, nations with high press freedom scores tend to have more vibrant democratic institutions, where the media plays a crucial role in scrutinizing power and fostering informed citizenry.

In 2008, the global average score of 26.41, with a median of 19.75, suggests a world where press freedom was unevenly distributed. This unevenness has significant implications for international development, as free press is instrumental in driving social progress, economic growth, and ensuring governmental transparency.

In conclusion, the Press Freedom Index Score for 2008 provides a comprehensive view of the varying degrees of media freedom worldwide. By understanding these scores and the factors influencing them, stakeholders can advocate for policies and practices that enhance press independence, supporting more open, transparent, and democratic societies globally.

Insights by country

Poland

In 2008, Poland ranked 121st out of 167 countries in the Press Freedom Index, with a score of 9 points. This ranking indicated a concerning environment for media freedom, reflecting challenges in journalistic independence and the protection of press rights within the country.

The relatively low score can be attributed to various factors, including increasing government influence over media outlets, concerns regarding self-censorship among journalists, and instances of harassment against reporters. These issues were exacerbated by political pressures and the economic landscape, which affected the operational capabilities of media organizations.

Despite its European Union membership, Poland's press freedom situation in 2008 was indicative of a trend where media independence was being tested, revealing significant implications for democratic processes and public discourse in the nation. Such challenges often sparked debates about the balance between state interests and media autonomy, a topic that remains relevant in discussions about democracy and civil liberties worldwide.

Australia

In 2008, Australia ranked 140th out of 167 countries in the Press Freedom Index, with a score of 6.25 points. This ranking indicates significant challenges to press freedom within the country, highlighting concerns over media independence and the ability of journalists to operate without fear of censorship or reprisal.

The relatively low score and ranking were influenced by several factors, including government surveillance, restrictive laws on information access, and the treatment of whistleblowers. These issues raised alarms among press freedom advocates, suggesting that while Australia is often perceived as a democratic nation, its practices in relation to media freedoms require scrutiny.

Additionally, the Australian media landscape is characterized by a concentration of ownership, which can limit diversity of perspectives and hinder independent journalism. Reports of intimidation against journalists and challenges to their ability to report freely have been critical issues that continue to resonate in discussions about press freedom in Australia.

Gambia

In 2008, Gambia achieved a Press Freedom Index Score of 42.75 points, placing it 36th out of 167 countries assessed in that year. This score reflects a relatively favorable environment for press freedom compared to many other nations, indicating a degree of openness in media operations.

The context for this statistic reveals a complex media landscape in Gambia, historically influenced by government policies and political climate. The administration during this period had enacted various measures that both restricted and enabled press activities, leading to a mixed reputation for press freedom.

Contributing factors to Gambia's score may include the presence of independent media outlets that operated despite challenges, as well as the government’s fluctuating stance on press regulation. It is worth noting that the overall global trend in 2008 showed significant concerns regarding media freedom, making Gambia's position relatively notable.

Cameroon

In 2008, Cameroon held a Press Freedom Index Score of 36.9 points, ranking 44th out of 167 countries. This score indicates a moderate level of press freedom within the country, reflecting both the challenges and the relative openness of the media environment compared to global standards.

The score of 36.9 suggests that while there are some avenues for journalistic expression, significant restrictions remain, influenced by government control and censorship practices. Factors contributing to this situation include government surveillance, intimidation of journalists, and legal constraints that limit the ability of the media to operate freely.

Moreover, Cameroon has faced a complex political landscape characterized by ongoing tensions between government forces and separatist movements, particularly in the Anglophone regions, which can further complicate press operations and the dissemination of information. The situation in 2008 was reflective of broader issues related to democracy and human rights in the country.

Comoros

In 2008, Comoros was ranked 83rd out of 167 countries in the Press Freedom Index, with a score of 20 points. This ranking reflects significant challenges faced by the media in the country, including government restrictions, censorship, and a lack of a supportive legal framework for journalists.

The low score indicates a media environment where freedom of expression is severely limited, often due to political instability and the influence of authoritarian governance structures. Factors contributing to this situation include a history of coups, limited access to information, and the intimidation of journalists.

Despite these challenges, there were efforts by some media outlets and civil society to advocate for greater press freedom and transparency in governance. Such initiatives highlight the resilience of the media landscape in Comoros, even within a restrictive environment.

Austria

In 2008, Austria ranked 153rd out of 167 countries in the Press Freedom Index, indicating significant challenges to media freedom within the country. The nation received a score of 3.5 points, reflecting concerns about government influence and media independence.

This low ranking can be attributed to various factors, including political pressure on journalists, restrictions on reporting, and instances of self-censorship among media professionals. The environment for press freedom in Austria during this period was further complicated by the rise of populism and the government's efforts to control the narrative around certain political issues.

Despite being a developed nation with a strong democratic framework, Austria's press freedom challenges highlight the delicate balance between government authority and the independence of the media, which is essential for a healthy democracy. This situation underscores the importance of vigilance in protecting journalistic integrity and freedom of expression.

Bulgaria

Bulgaria ranked 112th out of 167 countries in the Press Freedom Index for the year 2008. The country received a score of 12.5 points, indicating significant challenges in media freedom and journalistic independence. This ranking reflects concerns over political influence on the media, instances of censorship, and threats faced by journalists.

Several factors contributed to Bulgaria's low press freedom score, including the government's attempts to control media narratives, lack of legal protections for journalists, and a climate of intimidation that discouraged investigative reporting. The media landscape was further complicated by ownership concentration, where a few powerful entities controlled a large segment of the media, limiting diverse viewpoints.

In the broader context, Bulgaria's media environment has seen fluctuations over the years, with ongoing debates about the balance between press freedom and governmental oversight. This situation underscores the importance of continuous advocacy for media rights and reforms to strengthen journalistic integrity in the country.

Belarus

In 2008, Belarus achieved a Press Freedom Index Score of 58.33 points, ranking 20th out of 167 countries. This score indicates a relatively moderate level of press freedom compared to other nations, reflecting the complex media landscape within the country.

The context of this score is significant, as Belarus has historically faced challenges regarding the freedom of the press, with state control over media outlets and restrictions on independent journalism. Factors contributing to this score include government censorship, harassment of journalists, and a lack of diverse media ownership.

Furthermore, despite the score suggesting a level of press freedom, the reality often involves significant limitations on freedom of expression, exemplified by the government's efforts to stifle dissenting voices and control information dissemination. In contrast, neighboring countries typically display lower rankings, highlighting the ongoing struggles for media independence in the region.

Cyprus

In 2008, Cyprus ranked 134th out of 167 countries in the Press Freedom Index, indicating significant challenges in media freedom. The country's score of 7.5 points reflects a concerning environment for journalism and freedom of expression.

This low ranking can be attributed to a variety of factors, including the political division of the island, which has historically affected the media landscape. The presence of state-controlled media and the influence of political entities often limit the independence of journalists and the diversity of viewpoints presented in the press.

Additionally, the situation is compounded by the existence of restricted access to information and occasional harassment of journalists, which further stifles press freedom. In contrast, neighboring countries in the region have also faced similar issues, highlighting a broader pattern of media oppression in parts of Europe and the Mediterranean.

Algeria

In 2008, Algeria achieved a Press Freedom Index Score of 31.33 points, ranking 52nd out of 167 countries. This score reflects a moderately restrictive environment for press freedoms within the nation, where state control and censorship are prevalent challenges faced by journalists and media outlets.

The relatively low score can be attributed to several factors, including government regulations that limit freedom of expression, the intimidation of journalists, and incidents of violence against media personnel. Additionally, the legal framework surrounding media operations tends to favor state interests, often stifling independent reporting and critical perspectives.

Notably, Algeria's ranking in the Press Freedom Index serves as an indicator of the broader challenges in governance and civil liberties, which continue to evolve amidst calls for greater transparency and reform from civil society and international observers.

Data Source

Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

Reporters Without Borders (RWB) is an international non-profit organisation governed by principles of democratic governance. We are neither a trade union nor a representative of media companies. Founded in 1985 in Montpellier by four journalists, RSF is at the forefront of the defence and promotion of freedom of information. Recognised as a public interest organisation in France since 1995, RSF has consultative status with the United Nations, UNESCO, the Council of Europe and the International Organization of Francophonie (OIF).

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Historical Data by Year

Explore Press Freedom Index Score data across different years. Compare trends and see how statistics have changed over time.

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