Press Freedom Index Score 2012

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.

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

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Complete Data Rankings

Rank
1	Eritrea	142 points
2	North Korea	141 points
3	Turkmenistan	140.67 points
4	Syrian Arab Republic	138 points
5	Iran	136.6 points
6	China	136 points
7	Bahrain	125 points
8	Vietnam	114 points
9	Yemen	101 points
10	Sudan	100.75 points
11	Myanmar	100 points
12	Belarus	99 points
13	Cuba	98.83 points
14	Egypt	97.5 points
15	Laos	89 points
16	Somalia	88.33 points
17	Sri Lanka	87.5 points
18	Azerbaijan	87.25 points
19	Equatorial Guinea	86 points
20	Côte d'Ivoire	83.5 points
21	Djibouti	83.5 points
22	Saudi Arabia	83.25 points
23	Uzbekistan	83 points
24	Rwanda	81 points
25	Kazakhstan	77.5 points
26	Libya	77.5 points
27	State of Palestine	76 points
28	Iraq	75.36 points
29	Pakistan	75 points
30	Afghanistan	74 points
31	Mexico	72.67 points
32	Turkey	70 points
33	Indonesia	68 points
34	Malawi	68 points
35	Congo, Democratic Republic of the	67.67 points
36	Eswatini	67 points
37	Colombia	66.5 points
38	Russia	66 points
39	Gambia	65.5 points
40	Philippines	64.5 points
41	Uganda	64 points
42	Morocco	63.29 points
43	Thailand	61.5 points
44	Honduras	61 points
45	Singapore	61 points
46	Tunisia	60.25 points
47	Angola	58.43 points
48	India	58 points
49	Burundi	57.75 points
50	Bangladesh	57 points
51	Jordan	56.8 points
52	Ethiopia	56.6 points
53	Nigeria	56.4 points
54	Brunei Darussalam	56.2 points
55	Algeria	56 points
56	Malaysia	56 points
57	Tajikistan	56 points
58	Cambodia	55 points
59	Fiji	55 points
60	Oman	55 points
61	Venezuela	55 points
62	Zimbabwe	55 points
63	Ukraine	54 points
64	Peru	51.25 points
65	Qatar	46 points
66	Panama	45.67 points
67	United Arab Emirates	45 points
68	South Sudan	41.25 points
69	Liberia	40.5 points
70	Bolivia	40 points
71	Kyrgyzstan	40 points
72	Montenegro	39 points
73	Nepal	38.75 points
74	Ecuador	38 points
75	Georgia	38 points
76	Chad	37.67 points
77	Gabon	36.5 points
78	Mongolia	35.75 points
79	Brazil	35.33 points
80	Cameroon	35 points
81	Guatemala	35 points
82	Albania	34.44 points
83	Dominican Republic	33.25 points
84	North Macedonia	31.67 points
85	Lebanon	31.5 points
86	Benin	31 points
87	Congo	30.38 points
88	Guinea	30 points
89	Timor-Leste	30 points
90	Zambia	30 points
91	Kenya	29.5 points
92	Madagascar	29.5 points
93	Bulgaria	29 points
94	Chile	29 points
95	Paraguay	29 points
96	Serbia	29 points
97	Togo	28.5 points
98	Kuwait	28 points
99	Armenia	27 points
100	Guinea-Bissau	26 points
101	Senegal	26 points
102	Maldives	25 points
103	Seychelles	25 points
104	Nicaragua	24.33 points
105	Bhutan	24 points
106	Greece	24 points
107	Burkina Faso	23.33 points
108	Croatia	23.33 points
109	Mauritania	22.2 points
110	Mozambique	21.5 points
111	Lesotho	21 points
112	Sierra Leone	21 points
113	Tonga	21 points
114	Central African Republic	20 points
115	Italy	19.67 points
116	Bosnia and Herzegovina	19.5 points
117	Guyana	19.5 points
118	Malta	19.5 points
119	China, Hong Kong SAR	17 points
120	Mauritius	17 points
121	Samoa	17 points
122	Republic of Moldova	16 points
123	Haiti	15.67 points
124	Latvia	15 points
125	Trinidad and Tobago	15 points
126	Argentina	14 points
127	Romania	14 points
128	Comoros	13 points
129	Taiwan	13 points
130	South Korea	12.67 points
131	Botswana	12 points
132	South Africa	12 points
133	Ghana	11 points
134	Hungary	10 points
135	Spain	9.75 points
136	France	9.5 points
137	El Salvador	9.3 points
138	Slovenia	9.14 points
139	Papua New Guinea	9 points
140	Tanzania	6 points
141	Portugal	5.33 points
142	Uruguay	4.25 points
143	Australia	4 points
144	Lithuania	4 points
145	Niger	2.5 points
146	United Kingdom	2 points
147	Mali	0 points
148	Slovakia	0 points
149	Poland	-0.67 points
150	Japan	-1 points
151	Suriname	-1 points
152	Belgium	-2 points
153	Namibia	-2 points
154	Costa Rica	-2.25 points
155	Cyprus	-3 points
156	Germany	-3 points
157	Jamaica	-3 points
158	Ireland	-4 points
159	Czech Republic	-5 points
160	New Zealand	-5.33 points
161	Sweden	-5.5 points
162	Canada	-5.67 points
163	Denmark	-5.67 points
164	Cabo Verde	-6 points
165	Switzerland	-6.2 points
166	Iceland	-7 points
167	Luxembourg	-7 points
168	Austria	-8 points
169	Estonia	-9 points
170	Netherlands	-9 points
171	Finland	-10 points
172	Norway	-10 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

The Press Freedom Index Score is an essential measure of media independence worldwide, capturing the levels of freedom journalists experience in their pursuit to disseminate news without undue interference. In 2012, this metric provided crucial insights into the status of press freedom across 172 countries, highlighting the profound relationship between media independence, democracy, and societal transparency. By understanding these scores, we grasp the global landscape of free expression and its pivotal role in empowering informed citizenry and holding power accountable.

Global Disparities in Press Freedom

The 2012 Press Freedom Index Score revealed staggering disparities across different regions. Norway and Finland led the rankings with an exemplary score of -10, indicative of a robust and independent press environment. These countries, alongside others like Estonia and the Netherlands, demonstrated strong commitments to safeguarding journalistic freedom. In stark contrast, Eritrea registered the highest score of 142, underscoring severe press restrictions and government control. North Korea and Turkmenistan followed closely, with scores of 141 and 140.67, respectively, reflecting similar challenges faced by journalists in these nations.

Regional Trends and Patterns

Analyzing regional patterns, Europe stood out as a bastion of press freedom, with several countries achieving scores below zero, suggesting high levels of media autonomy. The region's commitment to press liberties is further emphasized by Austria and Luxembourg, scoring -8 and -7 respectively, reinforcing a tradition of media independence. Conversely, regions such as the Middle East and parts of Asia faced significant hurdles. Countries like Syria, Iran, and China, with scores of 138, 136.6, and 136, respectively, illustrated environments where journalistic endeavors are heavily curtailed. These scores highlight the geopolitical and cultural dynamics that influence media freedom.

Impact of Political Climates on Press Freedom

The political climate of a country is a crucial determinant of its press freedom status. In 2012, nations with authoritarian regimes, such as Eritrea and North Korea, demonstrated volatile scores due to stringent state controls and lack of free expression. This contrasts with democratic societies where legal frameworks protect media rights. For example, Canada, with a score of -5.67, exemplifies how supportive political structures can nurture a healthy media ecosystem. Such environments ensure that journalists operate without fear of censorship or retribution, fostering transparency.

Significance of Press Freedom for Democracy

The role of press freedom in sustaining democratic principles cannot be overstated. Countries with lower scores, such as Norway and Finland, are often characterized by transparent governance and active civic engagement. Media freedom allows for diverse viewpoints, rigorous debate, and informed decision-making processes. Conversely, higher scores in countries like Yemen (101) and Sudan (100.75) highlight the challenges faced in maintaining independent journalism, which is crucial for democratic accountability. These nations often encounter obstacles like censorship, legal constraints, and threats to journalists, which hinder the free flow of information.

Historical Context and Future Prospects

Reflecting on historical trends, 2012 represented a critical juncture in press freedom, with many countries experiencing intensified scrutiny and challenges. The year’s average score of 39.78 illustrates a global struggle to balance media independence with political and economic factors. As we look to the future, understanding these scores provides insight into potential policy shifts and advocacy efforts required to bolster press freedoms. Continuous monitoring and international pressure remain vital in promoting environments where journalists can operate freely, ensuring that societies worldwide reap the benefits of a vibrant and independent press.

Insights by country

Samoa

Samoa ranked 121 out of 172 countries in the Press Freedom Index in 2012, indicating a moderate level of press freedom within the nation. The country scored 17 points, reflecting challenges in the media landscape that limit the ability of journalists to operate freely and independently.

This ranking can be attributed to several factors, including government influence over media outlets, legal restrictions on press activities, and instances of self-censorship among journalists. Despite these challenges, Samoa's media environment has shown resilience, with a range of local publications and broadcasting services that strive to provide news and information to the public.

In a broader context, Samoa's position in the Press Freedom Index illustrates the ongoing struggle for media independence in the Pacific region, where many countries face similar issues. The score reflects not only the political climate but also social attitudes towards freedom of expression and the press.

Cambodia

Cambodia achieved a Press Freedom Index Score of 55 points in 2012, ranking 58th out of 172 countries. This score indicates a moderate level of press freedom, where journalists face various challenges in their pursuit of reporting and information dissemination.

The media landscape in Cambodia has been characterized by government censorship and restrictions on journalistic practices. Factors contributing to this situation include a lack of legal protection for journalists, government control over major media outlets, and the intimidation of dissenting voices. These conditions hinder the ability of the press to operate freely and independently.

Despite these challenges, Cambodia's media environment has shown signs of resilience, with a growing number of independent outlets emerging. However, the overall climate for press freedom remains precarious, reflecting ongoing issues related to human rights and governance within the country.

Maldives

In 2012, the Maldives ranked 102nd out of 172 countries in the Press Freedom Index, with a score of 25 points. This score reflects significant challenges in the media landscape of the country, highlighting concerns regarding government control and censorship of the press.

The low ranking can be attributed to a range of factors, including increasing political tensions, restrictions on journalists, and incidents of violence against the media. The political climate during this period was marked by instability and the suppression of dissent, which adversely affected the ability of journalists to operate freely and safely.

Additionally, the Maldives faced issues related to self-censorship among media professionals, driven by fear of repercussions from the authorities. The broader implications of such a low Press Freedom Index score indicate a troubling environment for democratic values and civil liberties within the nation.

Spain

In 2012, Spain ranked 135th out of 172 countries in the Press Freedom Index, indicating significant challenges in the realm of media freedom. The country received a score of 9.75 points, reflecting a concerning environment for journalists and media organizations.

This score can be attributed to various factors, including increased government control over media, concerns about the protection of journalists, and incidents of violence against reporters. Additionally, the economic crisis that began in 2008 had profound effects on the media landscape, leading to budget cuts and layoffs in news organizations, which further compromised journalistic independence.

Spain's ranking in the Press Freedom Index serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for media freedom, which is essential for a healthy democracy. Other European countries typically rank much higher, underscoring the need for continued efforts to enhance press freedoms within Spain.

Pakistan

In 2012, Pakistan achieved a notable Press Freedom Index score of 75 points, ranking 29th out of 172 countries. This positioning reflects a relatively strong commitment to media freedom in the context of global standards, especially within a region where press freedoms can be severely restricted.

The score indicated a complex media landscape where challenges such as political interference, threats to journalists, and censorship were prevalent. Despite these obstacles, the score suggested a vibrant civil society and a resilient press that managed to operate and report on various issues, albeit with caution.

Factors contributing to this score included a mix of legal protections for journalists alongside persistent threats from both state and non-state actors. Additionally, the media environment was influenced by the rise of digital media, which provided alternative platforms for expression, although it also led to increased scrutiny and regulation by authorities.

Trinidad and Tobago

In 2012, Trinidad and Tobago ranked 125th out of 172 countries in the Press Freedom Index, with a score of 15 points. This ranking highlights significant concerns regarding the state of media freedom within the nation, which is characterized by a complex interplay of political influence, economic pressures, and social dynamics.

The relatively low score reflects issues such as governmental pressure on journalists, instances of censorship, and the challenges faced by media outlets in maintaining autonomy. Factors contributing to this environment include political polarization and occasional violence against journalists, which can deter free expression and reporting.

Despite these challenges, Trinidad and Tobago has a vibrant media landscape, with a range of newspapers, television stations, and online platforms operating within the country. However, the 2012 Press Freedom Index underscores the need for ongoing advocacy for journalistic freedom and the protection of media professionals in order to strengthen democratic processes and public discourse.

North Korea

In 2012, North Korea achieved a Press Freedom Index score of 141 points, ranking 2nd out of 172 countries. This score reflects one of the most repressive media environments globally, where freedom of expression is virtually nonexistent and state control over all forms of media is absolute.

The extreme lack of press freedom in North Korea can be attributed to the government's strict censorship policies, which prohibit any dissenting voices or independent journalism. The state-run media serves primarily as a propaganda tool, promoting the regime's ideology and suppressing any critical reporting.

Notably, North Korea has consistently ranked at the bottom of international press freedom assessments, highlighting the challenges faced by journalists and citizens alike in accessing and disseminating information. The situation underscores the broader issues of human rights and civil liberties within the country, where citizens are often subjected to severe penalties for expressing their views.

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan achieved a Press Freedom Index Score of 87.25 in the year 2012, ranking 18th out of 172 countries. This high score reflects a relatively favorable environment for media compared to many other nations, suggesting a degree of press autonomy and the protection of journalistic practices at that time.

However, despite this ranking, the press landscape in Azerbaijan has been characterized by significant challenges, including government censorship, restrictions on independent media, and pressure on journalists. Factors contributing to this paradox include the government's tight control over media outlets and the legal framework that often limits free expression.

Relatedly, the country has seen various international organizations express concern over media freedoms, indicating that while the index score may suggest a positive outlook, the reality on the ground often involves significant limitations on press independence and freedom of speech.

Japan

In 2012, Japan ranked 150th out of 172 countries in the Press Freedom Index, reflecting a concerning status for a nation often perceived as a democratic stronghold in Asia. The country received a score of -1 points, indicating significant challenges to journalistic freedom and expression.

This low ranking can be attributed to various factors, including government pressure on media outlets, restrictive practices surrounding information access, and a culture that tends to favor consensus over confrontation. Journalists in Japan often face difficulties in reporting on sensitive topics, particularly those related to government actions and corporate interests.

Additionally, the media landscape in Japan is dominated by a small number of large corporations, which can lead to a homogenization of viewpoints and a lack of diverse perspectives in reporting. This environment raises concerns regarding the independence of the press and the ability of journalists to operate freely without fear of reprisal.

Uzbekistan

In 2012, Uzbekistan achieved a Press Freedom Index Score of 83 points, ranking 23rd out of 172 countries. This score reflects a moderate level of press freedom compared to other nations, indicating that while there was some degree of media activity, significant constraints still existed.

The relatively high ranking can be attributed to the government's cautious approach to media control, which allowed for limited independent journalism despite extensive regulations and censorship. Factors contributing to this environment included stringent laws governing media operations, the influence of state-run media, and the suppression of dissenting voices.

Moreover, Uzbekistan's media landscape has historically faced challenges such as self-censorship among journalists and the marginalization of independent news outlets, which underscores the complexities surrounding press freedom in the region. The country later faced various reforms aimed at improving media conditions, reflecting broader global trends towards greater transparency and freedom of expression.

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.

2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002

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