Each year, the organization Reporters Without Borders compiles a list that ranks countries by their press freedom records from the previous year. The group fights international censorship and promotes freedom of speech and press throughout the world. The French based organization notes that the rankings do note measure the quality of journalism, just the amount of press freedom.
Finland and Norway tied for first in 2012. Finland has been first for the past three years, partially due to their wealth and emphasis on transparency and equal rights. The country boasts 200 newspapers, 320 popular magazines, 67 commercial radio stations and several public service radio channels and digital radio channels.
America was ranked 47th in the world, dropping from spot 20 in 2010. The dramatic fall is attributed to the arrest of journalists during the 2010 Occupy Wall Street protests.
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