Press Freedom Survey
Freedom House
To provide an annual evaluation of the state of global press freedom.
US charitable foundations and government agencies.
To provide an annual evaluation of the state of global press freedom.
The index is used by governments, academics and news media in many countries.
Foreign and domestic news reports, publications, think tank and academic analyses, individual professional contacts, and visits to the region in preparing reports.
194 countries worldwide.
First data: Collected in 1980.
Latest data: Collected in 2006.
Stated frequency: Annual.
Washington, D.C. Office
1319 18th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20036
Tel: +1 202-296-5101
Experts are asked to rate countries‘ press freedom based on their “Legal Environment” (0-30 points), “Political Influences” (40 points), and “Economic Pressures” (30 points).Unclear how ranking is determined.
0-30 “Free”, 31-60 “Partly Free”, 61-100 “Not Free”
The index simplifies a complex subject into an easily understood rating.
The methodology’s reliance on external assessments means it should not be used as a reflection of the views of citizens within the country. The scoring system precludes the indices’ use as an index of the de facto or de jure enjoyment of rights.
State-owned media is less free. Similar value bias exists throughout the questionnaire.
The table below shows the 2006 press Freedom rankings
