Civil Liberties and Natural Resources; Media Freedom among Developing Countries as a Case Study

This research investigates how oil income, military spending, and non-oil tax are affecting media freedom in certain oil exporting nations. Using pooled OLS regression, the study examines data from the period 2004–2023 for Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, and Nigeria. Their results show that both oil income and military spending negatively influence media freedom, further supporting the idea that resource and military wealth can strengthen repressive trends and reduce. In contrast, non-oil tax revenue shows a positive effect, which suggests that increased dependence on domestic taxation increases governmental accountability, and fosters a freer press. These findings lend analytical support to the “resource curse” theory and highlight the importance of fiscal diversification in preserving democratic institutions. The findings of this study will contribute valuable insights to academic discussions and policy considerations regarding the management of natural resource revenues in countries heavily dependent on oil wealth. Understanding the complex interplay between natural resource wealth, democratization, and free media is essential for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners seeking to foster sustainable and inclusive democratic governance in resource-rich nations.