Eritrea, North Korea, Turkmenistan, Syria and Somalia make up the bottom five.
Reporters Without Borders secretary general Christophe Deloire said certain types of political systems are more conducive to press freedom than others.
"The Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders does not take direct account of the kind of political system but it is clear that democracies provide better protection for the freedom to produce and circulate accurate news and information than countries where human rights are flouted," Deloire said.
"In dictatorships, news providers and their families are exposed to ruthless reprisals, while in democracies news providers have to cope with the media's economic crises and conflicts of interest. While their situation is not always comparable, we should pay tribute to all those who resist pressure whether it is aggressively focused or diffuse."
Massey University journalism lecturer Cathy Strong told Newstalk ZB New Zealanders can be blase about the information the media has access to.
She says information gained about mayors, MPs, and what is happening in Parliament is because the media is there covering it all the time.
Top ten countries
1. Finland
2. The Netherlands
3. Norway
4. Luxembourg
5. Andorra
6. Denmark
7. Liechtenstein
8. New Zealand
9. Iceland
10. Sweden
- nzherald.co.nz
