ASEAN 2024 Press Freedom Level: Indonesia Classified as 'Difficult'

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has released its 2024 World Press Freedom Index, ranking 180 countries worldwide, including those in Southeast Asia.

The index is compiled from several indicators, including legal, political, social, economic, and security factors. Each indicator is scored from 0 to 100 points. Higher scores indicate greater press freedom.

Timor-Leste achieved the highest press freedom index score in ASEAN, reaching 78.92 points, categorized as "satisfactory."

Indonesia ranked fourth with a score of 51.15 points, categorized as "difficult," a three-place drop from its 2023 score of 54.83 points.

The following are the 2024 press freedom index scores for Southeast Asian countries:

1. Timor-Leste: 78.92 points
2. Thailand: 58.12 points
3. Malaysia: 52.07 points
4. Indonesia: 51.15 points
5. Brunei Darussalam: 50.09 points
6. Singapore: 47.19 points
7. Philippines: 43.36 points
8. Cambodia: 34.28 points
9. Laos: 33.76 points
10. Myanmar: 24.41 points
11. Vietnam: 22.31 points

RSF's press freedom index score categories are as follows:

* 85-100 points: Good
* 70-85 points: Satisfactory
* 55-70 points: Problematic
* 40-55 points: Difficult
* 0-40 points: Very Serious