Jamaica has advanced eight places on the 2024 World Press Freedom Index ranking.

The country ranked 24th position on the index with a global score of 77.3 per cent. This is an increase when compared to the 32nd position the country secured last year.

Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands and Finland secured the top five spots on the index.

Regionally, Jamaica secured the best ranking on the index followed by Trinidad and Tobago at 25th position with a score of 76.69.

North Korea, Afghanistan, Syria and Eritrea were among the top five poorly ranked countries on the index.

Robert Morgan, minister without portfolio with responsibility for Information in the Office of the Prime Minister has welcomed the news of Jamaica’s improvement.

“On behalf of Jamaica, we welcome the improvement in the press freedom rankings as reported by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which is an international press freedom watchdog. Our score moving from 32 to 24 is commendable and importantly makes Jamaica the country in the Caribbean with the best press freedom ranking,” Morgan said.

He noted that over the years, the government has made efforts to encourage press freedom and facilitate the work of journalists.

“We find the ranking to be a testament to Jamaica’s continued work in improving the conditions, safety and the freedom of journalists to do their work. Jamaica stands tall globally as one of the countries with the better press freedom rankings and the government recognises the importance of encouraging press freedom as part of encouraging a strong democracy, improving transparency and accountability. We will continue to work hard to ensure that our rankings improve even further and we encourage our journalists in Jamaica to continue to doing their work and partner with the state and the government as we continue to encourage press freedom transparency and accountability,” he added.

RSF compare the level of press freedom enjoyed by journalists and media in 180 countries and territories.