Behind the rankings of Pacific nations in the 2011-12 World Press Freedom Index

Abstract

Commentary: Australia and New Zealand both declined in the 2011-2012 Reporters Sans Frontières/Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index rankings but all other surveyed Pacific Island nations improved their standings. This article reports upon those outcomes and details the methodology used by the international press freedom agency in reaching its annual determinations. It explains that such rankings can never be statistically precise because too many variables are at play between countries and from one survey period to another. Nevertheless, they are indicative and importantly draw attention each year to the widely varying standards applied to media freedom throughout the Pacific region and the wider world.