Where Media Freedom Levels Are Lowest

Today marks World Press Freedom Day, an opportunity to celebrate what press freedom stands for as well as a chance to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives on the job. Given the proliferation of fake news, this year is especially important with the United Nations saying that "free, independent and professional journalism has never been more importan due to media accountability and credibility coming under question".

According to a Gallup World Poll, the public perceptions of media freedom are highest in Western Europe and in Denmark, Norway, Finland, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Ireland and Sweden in particular. When it comes to the places with the worst public perception of media freedom, the following infographic shows the countries where perception is lowest.