Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index 2013: United States Improves In Media Freedom

Reporters Without Borders released its annual Press Freedom Index on Tuesday, and the results look a bit different this year.

"After the 'Arab springs' and other protest movements that prompted many rises and falls in last year’s index, the 2013 Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index marks a return to a more usual configuration," the organization reported. "The ranking of most countries is no longer attributable to dramatic political developments. This year’s index is a better reflection of the attitudes and intentions of governments towards media freedom in the medium or long term."

This year, Finland was rated the country that respects press freedom the most for the third year in a row. Syria, Turkenistan, North Korea and Eritrea ranked as the worst four countries for press freedom for the second year in a row. The index was based on a range of criteria, from legislation to violence against journalists.

The United States, which dropped precipitously in the 2012 index after the treatment of journalists covering the Occupy Wall Street protests, was up 15 points this time.

Below, see the ten best and worst countries for press freedom, and click over to Reporters Without Borders for the full breakdown of the rankings.