World Press Freedom Index

Methodology

The WPFI is based on a questionnaire for all categories except safety, which RSF monitors. The questionnaire is sent to partner organizations, correspondents, researchers and human rights experts who are all evaluating the country in which they live. As of 2013, that included 18 freedom of expression non-governmental organizations located in five continents, its 150 correspondents around the world and journalists, researchers, jurists and human rights activists.

The methodology from 2013 to 2021 used seven general criteria: pluralism (measures the degree of representation of opinions in the media space), media independence, environment and self-censorship, legislative framework, transparency, infrastructure, and abuses. In 2013, Reporters Without Borders said that the WPFI only deals with press freedom and does not measure the quality of journalism in the countries it assesses.

Starting in 2022, the qualitative survey was updated to reflect needs in a more digital era and was first combined with a quantitative score press freedom incidents. The scores are evaluated against five distinct categories: political context, legal framework, economic context, sociocultural context and safety.

Political context

This category aims to evaluate the autonomy of media and the degree of support to the media to keep government and officials accountable.

Legal framework

The questionnaire takes account of the legal framework for the media (including penalties for press offences, the existence of a state monopoly for certain kinds of media and how the media are regulated) and the level of independence of the public media. It also includes violations of the free flow of information on the Internet.

Economic context

This category aims to evaluate economic constraints put on the press by carrying out its mission. This includes loss of public financing, concentration of media ownership, and pressure from advertisers, donors or owners.

Sociocultural context

This category aims to evaluate the social and cultural constraints put on journalists to self-censor against covering specific issues because it would be in opposition to the predominant culture of a country.

Safety

RSF uses its global monitoring of the safety of journalists to score this category. This category aims to evaluate journalists' safety in disseminating news without the risk of bodily harm, psychological or emotional distress or professional harm.

Violence against journalists, netizens, and media assistants, including abuses attributable to the state, armed militias, clandestine organizations or pressure groups, are monitored by RSF staff during the year and are also part of the final score. A higher score on the report corresponds to greater freedom of the press as reported by the organization.