In this article, we will look at the 5 most advanced countries in journalism. We have also discussed the top news companies in the world in another article. If you are interested in reading about that along with a more extensive list, head straight to the 20 Most Advanced Countries in Journalism.
5. Finland
WPF Index: 87.94
Finland ranks 5th in the World Press Freedom Index with a high score of 87.94 in 2023. The media in the country is vast, with strong public and private media outlets. While legal protections for press freedom are strong, the recent conviction of two journalists for revealing state secrets in January 2023 has raised concerns about the chilling effect on reporting national security issues. Finland’s legal framework protects source confidentiality and limits legal sanctions for media offenses.
4. Sweden
WPF Index: 88.15
Sweden has a strong legal framework, including the Freedom of the Press Act and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression, which protects journalists and sources and thus, prevents authorities from forcing journalists to reveal their sources. The principle of public access grants the public and media the right to scrutinize government activities, promoting transparency. With over 94% of Swedes using social media and extensive internet access, information flow and media accessibility are integral to the country’s open society, demonstrating a dedication to press freedom.
3. Denmark
WPF Index: 89.48
In Denmark, the public media, particularly Denmarks Radio and TV2, have a high level of trust among the population. Moreover, the legal framework provides a solid foundation for press freedom, although the Freedom of Information Law adopted in 2014 has faced criticism for potentially limiting the right to inform. Economic challenges in the media include tech giants like Google and Facebook impacting the advertising market for private media. Journalists generally work without major threats, but there have been issues related to sexism within the media industry.
2. Ireland
WPF Index: 89.91
In Ireland, the press freedom environment is generally favorable, with journalists able to work without major interference. Recent developments have increased media diversity, but challenges persist in terms of funding, particularly for public broadcaster RTÉ. A review of the Defamation Act in 2022 aimed to protect public interest journalism. It is also worth noting that Ireland is one of the highest paying countries for journalists in the world.
1.Norway
WPF Index: 95.18
Norway is known for having one of the freest media environments globally and is also one of the most connected countries, with nearly 98% of the population using the internet. Facebook is the most used social media platform.
Moreover, the commercial media sector is dominated by Schibsted, which publishes major national dailies, and the TV2 Group. Norwegians have shifted towards online newspaper subscriptions, with declining print readerships. Norway is the most advanced country in journalism.
Insider Monkey focuses on uncovering the best investment ideas of hedge funds and insiders. Please subscribe to our free daily enewsletter to get the latest investment ideas from hedge funds’ investor letters by entering your email address below. You can also take a peek at 15 Highest Paying Countries for Economists and 17 Highest Paying Countries for Accountants.
