It previously topped the index more than ten times.
Finland has fallen to sixth place in the latest World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders, marking one of the nation’s lowest rankings to date.
The latest result marks a significant decline from previous years, as Finland topped the list more than ten times before 2016. The country has placed fifth for the past four years.
“Lawsuits against journalists and a court ruling undermining their legal protection have created a climate of uncertainty in the profession,” the report noted.
In this year’s index, Norway ranked first, followed by the Netherlands, Estonia, Denmark and Sweden.
Despite the drop, Finland’s position remains strong by global standards. It is still classified in the index’s highest category, where press freedom is considered “good”.
The index, published annually since 2002, evaluates press freedom in 180 countries, based on factors including the political environment, legal framework, economic conditions, socio-cultural climate, and the safety of journalists.
Global outlook worsening
Globally, press freedom has continued to deteriorate. For the first time in the index’s history, press freedom is classified as either “difficult” or “very difficult” in more than half of the countries assessed.
According to Kaius Niemi, chair of Reporters Without Borders Finland, the index highlights the growing challenges to the media’s operating environment.
He stressed that journalists must be able to work freely, critically and independently.
“Freedom of the press is not for the media itself, but for everyone’s right to receive reliable, verified and fact-based information. Therefore, defending freedom of the press is defending democracy. It belongs to all Finns – not just journalists,” Niemi said.
