Finland is the easiest place for journalists to work. For the fourth year running, Finland has topped the World Press Freedom index.

The index, compiled by Reporters Without Borders said press freedom in Finland was based on strong legal foundations supported by a genuine culture of individual liberty.

The interest group also highlighted the work of the independent media watchdog, the Council for the Mass Media in Finland (JSN), which interprets sound media practice and defends freedom of speech and publication.

This year’s index covers 180 countries. Like last year, Finland was closely followed by the Netherlands and Norway.

The United States dropped 13 places to 46 with the report noting that freedom of information was often sacrificed in favour of an overly broad and abusive interpretation of national security needs.

The most difficult places for journalists to work in are Eritrea, North Korea and Turkmenistan, which the organisation refers to as black holes for news and information and where journalists live in imminent danger.

www.rsf.org/

Source: www.goodnewsfinland.com/archive/news/finland-tops-2014-press-freedom-index/