Methodological changes and challenges in the measurement of freedom of information. An analysis of the Reporters Without Borders and Freedom House indexes

Abstract

The article analyses the main methodological challenges of the two most important indicators in measuring freedom of the press around the world. Freedom House (FH) and Reporters Without Borders (RWB) have become references for studies that go beyond freedom of the press and their importance forces us to analyze what the methodological aspects are that determined these methodologies and which are omitted. The results of this study make it possible to determine that the indicators of Reporters Without Borders and Freedom House present serious methodological deficiencies that, although they have tried to correct, continue to be the source of numerous controversies, such as the absence of mechanisms to protect journalists in their measurement instruments.