Press freedom at lowest level in 25 years amid growing authoritarian pressure
Summary
Press freedom worldwide is at its lowest level in 25 years, according to the World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders. More than half of the 180 countries studied face serious difficulties with free media, due to increasing government restrictions and other challenges.Key Facts
- The average press freedom score globally is the lowest in 25 years.
- Over half of all countries are now rated as having “difficult” or “very serious” press freedom conditions.
- Less than 1% of the world population lives in a country with “good” press freedom, down from 20% in 2002.
- Governments are using national security laws and other legal tools to limit journalists’ work.
- President Donald Trump’s repeated attacks on the press have contributed to the U.S. falling to 64th place on the index.
- Russia holds 48 journalists in prison and uses anti-terror laws to restrict media freedom.
- Over 220 journalists were killed in Gaza since October 2023, with similar dangers in Sudan and South Sudan.
- Funding cuts by the Trump administration to U.S. global media agencies have led to closures and reductions in news services worldwide.
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