KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica moved up eight places in the 2024 World Press Freedom index and is now ranked 24th out of 180 countries.

It makes Jamaica the highest ranked country in the Caribbean, with Trinidad and Tobago one place behind at number 25.

Dubbing the recent ranking as a “testament to the nation’s commitment to creating a safe and open environment for journalists,” the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) in a statement on Friday said it was proud of the country’s advancement.

In the statement, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the ranking not only reflects the country’s dedication to press freedom but is also the result of the “successful implementation of our policies aimed at enhancing the flow of factual and timely information to our citizens.”

Meanwhile, minister with responsibility for information, Robert Nesta Morgan, attributed the placement to what he said were the government’s proactive policies on information access and initiatives to enrich the information ecosystem for public benefit.

“This ranking reaffirms Jamaica’s dedication to improving conditions for journalistic work, ensuring the safety of media professionals, and fostering an atmosphere where press freedom is integral to our strong democracy and increased government transparency and accountability,” Morgan said

The index, compiled by global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders, was released Friday.

Norway, Denmark and Sweden are the top three countries on the list.