Here is what I said: “The US is not lacking in either press or economic freedom compared to ‘peer’ nations.”
Whether or not there are countries who have better ratings, any honest reading of the list sees that the US ratings are similar to peers.
When you consider how large and diverse the US is compared to most countries on the list, the ranking becomes more impressive.
The first list puts the US above all of Europe except Switzerland, and above all of Scandinavia, and Canada and Australia.
The second list puts the US above Sweden, Germany, and Japan for example.
The third, doesn’t have ranks, but places US in the ‘satisfactory’ category along with most of Europe, Canada, and Australia.
The fourth, is the only one in which the US does a little worse on their points scale, however *it is back in the top tier described as ‘free’ alongside all its peers, and above the UK, France and Japan in the ranking.
It’s just bullshit to claim these lists indicate that the US is lacking compared to peers.