Top 15 African Countries by Press Freedom 2024

Journalist protest (Photo: SABC)

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Reporters Without Borders (RWB), known as Reporters sans frontières (RSF), is a prominent international non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and promotion of media freedom worldwide. With consultative status at the United Nations.

The recently released 2024 World Press Freedom Index by RSF provides a comprehensive evaluation of press freedom across 180 countries. This index is an essential tool for assessing the state of journalism and media functioning globally. It highlights the challenges journalists face, promotes press freedom, and encourages governments to protect journalists and their work.

The 2024 World Press Freedom Index offers insightful data on the status of press freedom across the globe, including Africa. While African nations face unique challenges in ensuring media freedom, several countries have made significant strides. Below is a detailed look at the top 15 African countries in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, showcasing their rankings and scores on a global scale.

Top 15 African Countries in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index

 

African Rank	Country	Global Rank	Score
1	Mauritania	33rd	74.20
2	Namibia	34th	74.16
3	Seychelles	37th	73.75
4	South Africa	38th	73.73
5	Cape Verde	41st	72.77
6	Ghana	50th	67.71
7	Ivory Coast	53rd	66.89
8	Gabon	56th	65.83
9	Mauritius	57th	65.55
10	Gambia	58th	65.53
11	Liberia	60th	65.13
12	Malawi	63rd	64.46
13	Sierra Leone	64th	64.27
14	Congo-Brazzaville	69th	62.57
15	Comoros	71st	61.47

 

The 2024 World Press Freedom Index by RSF highlights both the achievements and challenges of press freedom in Africa. While countries like Mauritania, Namibia, and Seychelles lead the way in fostering a free and independent press, many others continue to struggle with political, legal, and social obstacles.

These obstacles often include censorship, attacks on journalists, and restrictive laws that hinder the ability of media professionals to report freely. Despite the progress made in some countries, there remains a pressing need for governments across the continent to prioritize the protection of journalists and ensure their ability to work without fear of reprisal.

Additionally, efforts to strengthen legal frameworks and promote transparency in media regulation are essential steps towards achieving greater press freedom in Africa.