US falls below Ukraine in press freedom as global autocracy takes hold
Summary
The 2026 World Press Freedom Index shows that Nordic countries have the most press freedom, with Norway ranked first. The United States has fallen to 64th place, below countries like Ukraine, due to rising challenges facing journalists, including political interference and attacks during protests. Press freedom is declining globally, especially in the Americas and Asia, where countries like China have severe restrictions on the media.Key Facts
- Norway holds the top spot for press freedom for the tenth year in a row.
- The United States dropped seven places to 64th in global press freedom rankings.
- The US ranked below Namibia, South Africa, Costa Rica, Canada, and even Ukraine.
- Press freedom has declined worldwide, with over half of countries rated in "difficult" or "very serious" categories.
- In the US, President Donald Trump’s policies have included cuts to public broadcasters and political actions targeting journalists.
- Asia, especially China, is one of the most repressive regions for press freedom.
- China ranks 178 out of 180 countries and detains more than 100 journalists, using vague legal charges to silence them.
- Nordic countries, including Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Estonia, remain at the top of the list for press freedom.
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