In terms of political and civil liberties, Costa Rica is 1. Costa Rican citizens experience total freedom. The majority of countries where citizens enjoy wide civil liberties and political liberties are representative democracies, where officials are directly elected by the citizens to advocate for their needs and wants. Free countries are often backed by healthy economies and well-functioning governments. Costa Rica companies are 3 in terms of economic freedom. Costa Rican citizens are considered moderately free in their economic choices. The government in this country exercises appreciable control over corporations and other economic activities. Citizens can own property and control certain financial decisions, but in many cases the government can take control of private property for government purposes. In terms of journalistic freedom, Costa Rica's media is in a 1. In Costa Rica, while journalists are allowed to express a variety of opinions, they are only allowed to publish those that do not oppose the government or state ideology. The government in that country may have its own government-sponsored publications to promote its ideas and beliefs. This is considered a problematic situation.