Press freedom worldwide is at lowest level in 25 years, watchdog group warns
Summary
Press freedom around the world is at its lowest point in 25 years, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF). More than half of all countries have serious problems with press freedom, and very few places remain where the media can operate without major issues.Key Facts
- Reporters Without Borders said press freedom has dropped to the worst level since their index began 25 years ago.
- Over half of the world's countries are now rated as having "difficult" or "very serious" problems with press freedom.
- Less than 1% of the global population lives in countries where press freedom is considered "good," down from 20%.
- Only seven countries, mainly in Northern Europe and led by Norway, are in the "good" category.
- The United States dropped to 64th place, falling seven spots after President Donald Trump’s re-election in 2024.
- The report criticized President Trump’s repeated attacks on journalists and mentioned the case of Salvadoran journalist Mario Guevara, who was detained and expelled from the U.S.
- Russia uses anti-terrorism laws to limit press freedom and had 48 journalists imprisoned by April 2026.
- Niger experienced the biggest fall in press freedom rankings due to military rule and violence in the Sahel region.
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