Press freedom across the world has dropped to its lowest point in 25 years, according to a new report released on Thursday by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
The watchdog said that, for the first time since it began compiling its global index, more than half of all countries now fall into the “difficult” or “very serious” categories for media freedom. It added that the overall global score has reached an unprecedented low.
RSF also highlighted a dramatic decline in the proportion of people living in countries where press freedom is rated as “good.” That figure has fallen sharply from around 20 per cent to less than one per cent. Only seven countries - mostly in Northern Europe and led by Norway - remain in this top category.
The report pointed to several key developments contributing to the global downturn. It cited what it described as “systematic” attacks on journalists by Donald Trump, as well as the execution of a journalist in Saudi Arabia in 2025.
The United States has slipped further in the rankings, dropping seven places to 64. RSF noted that the country’s media environment has been affected by pressures on journalists, including the detention and expulsion of Salvadoran reporter Mario Guevara after he reported on migrant arrests. Cuts to funding for US international broadcasting were also cited as a contributing factor.
Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin’s Russia continues to face criticism for its tightening grip on media. According to RSF, authorities increasingly use laws related to terrorism, separatism, and extremism to curb press activity. As of April 2026, 48 journalists were reported to be imprisoned in the country.
The most significant decline this year was recorded in Niger, where the ranking dropped by 37 places to 120. RSF linked this fall to broader trends in the Sahel region, where military-led governments and armed groups have restricted access to diverse and independent information sources.
The report underscores growing challenges for journalists worldwide, with political pressure, legal restrictions, and security risks continuing to undermine media freedom.
