Global Press Freedom Declines to Lowest Level in 25 Years

Press freedom has plummeted to its lowest recorded level in a quarter of a century, according to the latest report from Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a prominent non-governmental organisation based in Paris. Released on 30 April 2026, the findings highlight a worrying trend where more than half of the world's nations are now classified under the 'difficult' or 'very serious' categories regarding press freedom.

In its annual World Press Freedom Index, RSF ranks journalists' freedom across 180 countries on a scale ranging from 'very serious' to 'good'. This marks the first instance since the Index was initiated in 2002 that a majority of these nations have been assessed as facing significant challenges to press freedom.

Among the most concerning discoveries from the report is the assertion that journalism is becoming increasingly criminalised around the globe. The average score across all countries and territories for press freedom has never been as low, signalling alarming developments for media workers in various regions.

The report identified only seven countries, mainly in the Nordic region, as having a 'good' level of press freedom, with Norway, the Netherlands, and Estonia leading the rankings. Conversely, France is positioned at 25th with a 'satisfactory' score, whilst the United States falls to 64th, marking a decline of seven places since the presidential tenure of Donald Trump, who has been accused of systematically undermining press rights.

Significant declines in press freedom have also been observed in Latin America. Notable examples include Argentina, which has dropped to 98th place, and El Salvador, which has plummeted 105 positions since 2014 due to governmental actions targeting journalists under the guise of anti-gang operations.

Eastern Europe and the Middle East have been identified as the most perilous regions for journalists, a trend that has persisted for the past 25 years. Countries like Russia and Iran rank near the bottom of the Index, suggesting an entrenched culture of hostility towards media professionals.

The RSF report cites ongoing conflicts and strict limitations on information access as contributing factors to the declines in press freedom. In specific instances, it mentioned Israel's military actions against journalists covering events in Gaza and the occupied territories, resulting in over 220 journalist deaths since October 2023, with approximately 70 occurring in the line of duty.

The document also outlined that more than 60% of evaluated nations have enacted measures that criminalise journalists in various capacities. It highlighted countries such as India, Egypt, Turkey, and Hong Kong for significant state-led crackdowns on media personnel.

Anne Bocande, Editorial Director of RSF, expressed concern regarding the global trend of press criminalisation, attributing it to a combination of authoritarian regimes, ineffective political systems, and unchecked online platforms. Bocande urged democratic governments and public citizens to intensify efforts to combat this trend, advocating for stronger protections for journalists.

“The current protection mechanisms are insufficient; international laws are being challenged, and impunity remains widespread,” she stated, reinforcing the necessity for prompt action against the erosion of journalistic freedoms. Bocande concluded by emphasising that the drift towards authoritarianism is not an inescapable outcome but rather a challenge that can be confronted.