Study links press freedom to happiness

By Tarra Quismundo Philippine Daily Inquirer

Whats the key to happiness? Apparently, press freedom contributes to happiness.

As the Philippine media push for the passage of the freedom of information (FOI) bill, a study by doctoral students in journalism has found that countries with a free press, especially those with FOI laws, have higher levels of happiness and living standards overall.

The happiness study by Fulbright scholar Edson Tandoc Jr. of Missouri School of Journalism and his research partner, Bruno Takahashi of Michigan State University, found that press freedom contributed to peoples life satisfaction as it was a vital component in assuring effective governance.

The study also underlined the importance of institutionalizing freedom of information in promoting greater levels of press freedom and improving quality of life, said Tandoc, a former Philippine Daily Inquirer reporter.

He said it was a correlation that indicated the need to urgently pass the Philippine FOI legislation.

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Study links press freedom to happiness