The World Press Freedom Index is an annual ranking of countries compiled and published by Reporters Without Borders based upon the organisation’s own assessment of the countries’ press freedom records in the previous year.
The World Press Freedom Index measures the level of media freedom in 180 countries, including the level of pluralism, media independence, and respect for the safety and freedom of journalists. The 2017 Index takes account of violations that took place between January 1st and December 31st 2016.
See Also: Top 25 Most Corrupt Countries In Africa
According to the 2017 world press freedom index Ranking released on April 26th, Nigeria is 122nd globally and 32nd in Africa. Namibia tops Africa in press freedom as they are ranked 24th globally out of 180 countries, they are closely followed by Ghana and Cape Verde which respectively rank 26th and 27th globally.
South Africa, Burkina Faso, Botswana, Mauritania, Mauritius, Madagascar and Senegal complete Africa’s top 10 list.
See also: Top 10 Most Powerful Militaries In Africa (Updated)
Overall, Africa comes out in the report as the World’s third freest region after the Americas, Europe and the Balkans.
Below are the Top Ranking African Countries in 2017 World Press Freedom Index (Freedom of The Press).
| Rank | Country | Abuse score | world Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Namibia | 0 | 24 |
| 2 | Ghana | 0 | 26 |
| 3 | Cape verde | 0 | 27 |
| 4 | South Africa | 0 | 31 |
| 5 | Burkina faso | 6.93 | 42 |
| 6 | Botswana | 0 | 48 |
| 7 | Papua N.G | 0 | 51 |
| 8 | Mauritania | 13.86 | 55 |
| 9 | Mauritius | 0 | 56 |
| 10 | Madagascar | 0 | 57 |
| 11 | Senegal | 0 | 58 |
| 12 | Malawi | 0 | 70 |
| 13 | Guinea bissau | 0 | 77 |
| 14 | Benin | 0 | 78 |
| 15 | Cote d’ivoire | 21.97 | 81 |
| 16 | Tanzania | 10.99 | 83 |
| 17 | Suerra leone | 0 | 85 |
| 18 | Togo | 0 | 86 |
| 19 | Seychelles | 0 | 87 |
| 20 | Mozambique | 23.03 | 93 |
| 21 | Liberia | 16.09 | 94 |
| 22 | Kenya | 45.95 | 95 |
| 23 | Tunisia | 21.97 | 97 |
| 24 | Guinea | 45.75 | 101 |
| 25 | Gabon | 35.34 | 108 |
| 26 | Uganda | 44.19 | 112 |
| 27 | C.A.R | 6.93 | 113 |
| 28 | Zambia | 24.85 | 114 |
| 29 | Congo brazaville | 28.90 | 115 |
| 30 | Mali | 23.03 | 115 |
| 31 | Chad | 10.99 | 121 |
| 32 | Nigeria | 35.55 | 122 |
| 33 | Angola | 0 | 125 |
| 34 | Zimbabwe | 38.50 | 128 |
| 35 | Cameroon | 30.91 | 130 |
| 36 | Mozambique | 23.03 | 93 |
| 37 | Morocco | 31.35 | 133 |
| 38 | Algeria | 35.55 | 134 |
| 39 | Gambia | 45.43 | 143 |
| 40 | South Sudan | 46.25 | 145 |
| 41 | Ethiopia | 59.66 | 150 |
| 42 | Swaziland | 0 | 152 |
| 43 | D.R Congo | 50.94 | 154 |
| 44 | Rwanda | 6.93 | 159 |
| 45 | Buruni | 40.60 | 160 |
| 46 | Egypt | 68.07 | 161 |
| 47 | Libya | 60.98 | 163 |
| 48 | Somalia | 55.68 | 167 |
| 49 | Eguitorial Guinea | 0 | 171 |
| 50 | Djibouti | 32.19 | 172 |
| 51 | Sudan | 27.73 | 174 |
| 52 | Eritrea | 71.71 | 179 |
