Global press freedom at lowest level in 25 years

According to the annual World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), global press freedom has fallen to its lowest level in 25 years. For the first time since RSF began publishing the index in 2002, more than half of the 180 countries surveyed fall into the 'difficult' or 'very serious' categories, reflecting the increasing criminalization of journalism worldwide.

Only seven countries, mostly in Scandinavia, are ranked as having 'good' press freedom, led by Norway, the Netherlands, and Estonia. France ranks 25th with a 'satisfactory' rating, while the United States is 64th with a 'problematic' rating, dropping seven places since President Donald Trump took office. RSF says Trump has turned attacks on the press into systematic policy, citing the detention of El Salvadoran journalist Mario Guevara while covering an anti-deportation protest, and the suspension of several public media outlets.

In Latin America, RSF highlights sharp declines for Argentina (98th, down 11 places) and El Salvador (143rd, down 105 places since 2014) after the latter launched its crackdown on Maras criminal gangs.

RSF stresses that Eastern Europe and the Middle East are the most dangerous regions for journalists, with Russia (172nd) and Iran (177th) among the bottom ten countries. War and restricted access to information are key drivers of declining press freedom, notably Israeli attacks on journalists in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon. Israel is ranked 116th. RSF cites data that since October 2023, more than 220 journalists have been killed in Gaza under Israeli military fire, with at least 70 killed while on assignment.

Overall, RSF says the criminalization of journalism is becoming a global phenomenon, with more than 60% of countries (110 out of 180) applying sanctions against journalists in various forms. India (157th), Egypt (169th), Georgia (135th), Turkey (163rd), and Hong Kong (140th) are cited as prominent examples of state repression.

Anne Bocande, RSF's editorial director, says attacks on the right to information are becoming more diverse and sophisticated, and are carried out openly. She points to 'authoritarian states, incompetent or complicit political forces, predatory economic actors, and poorly regulated online platforms' as key drivers of the global decline in press freedom. Bocande calls on democratic governments and citizens to act more forcefully, including through 'firm commitments and meaningful sanctions,' to halt the criminalization of journalists. She stresses: 'Current protection mechanisms are not strong enough, international law is being eroded, and impunity is rampant. Inaction is also a form of endorsement. But the spread of authoritarianism is not inevitable.'