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Global Press Freedom Reaches 25-Year Low, RSF Report Shows

The latest World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reveals that global press freedom has reached its lowest point in 25 years, with many countries experiencing significant declines. The report highlights a systemic crisis in various nations, though some, like the Netherlands, saw improvements in their rankings.

30 Apr, 06:44 — 1 May, 05:42
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Source Diversity

Excellent (100/100)
49 sources33/33
Spectrum spread5/5 buckets covered33/33
Far L2
Far Left (2)
avgiThe Guardian
Left18
Left (18)
inquirern1-serbiaAl Jazeerabuenos-aires-heraldhavana-timesstockholm-cfdanasFrance 24+10 more
Center21
Center (21)
senewebbatimesnl-timesdhaka-tribuneiceland-reviewrudawmorocco-world-newsbalkan-web+13 more
Right7
Right (7)
uz-dailyfaznzzmorgunbladidobservadorla-vanguardiastraits-times
Far R1
Far Right (1)
Daily Sabah
Geographic diversity36 regions34/34
Netherlands4Serbia3Iceland3Argentina2Turkey2North Macedonia2Lithuania2France2Portugal2Philippines1Qatar1Senegal1Cuba1Greece1UK1Bangladesh1Iraq1Morocco1Uzbekistan1Germany1Albania1Switzerland1Czech Republic1Mozambique1Italy1Hungary1Bosnia1Georgia1Romania1Estonia1Latvia1Nigeria1Spain1Moldova1Finland1Singapore1

Sources

Showing 31 of 49 sources
The GuardianMostly Factual6h ago

Press freedom at lowest level in 25 years amid growing authoritarian pressure

The World Press Freedom Index, which assessed 180 countries, finds established journalism is ‘being asphyxiated’ Press freedom around the world is at its lowest ebb in a generation, according to an influential annual index that highlights growing authoritarian pressure on the media. The average score for the 180 countries assessed by the World Press Freedom Index, compiled by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), was the lowest in the index’s 25-year history. Continue reading...

By Michael Savage Media editor

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Al JazeeraMostly Factual2h ago

RSF condemns ‘kidnapping’ of three journalists on board Gaza aid flotilla

Among the detained journalists are Al Jazeera correspondent Hafed Mribah and cameraman Mahmut Yavuz.

Read full article →
France 24High9h ago

Global press freedom falls to lowest level in 25 years, RSF warns

Reporters Without Borders says global press freedom has dropped to its lowest level in 25 years, with only 1 percent of the world’s population living in countries rated as having a “good” media environment. The report highlights rising violence against journalists in conflict zones, worsening legal pressure worldwide, and political attacks on the media, while Norway ranks first and Eritrea remains last.

By FRANCE24

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telex11h ago

RSF: Hungary third lowest-ranked in EU in terms of press freedom

A year ago, Hungary was third from the bottom, but this year we’ve fallen behind Bulgaria in the annual report of Reporters Without Borders, which described the Tisza Party's election victory as a unique opportunity for the country.

By Ignácz Péter

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n1-serbia2h ago

Szalai: Serbia exiting Europe on media freedom

Pavol Szalai, head of the EU/Balkans desk at Reporters Without Borders (RSF), told N1 on Thursday that Serbia is exiting Europe in terms of media fre

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straits-timesMostly Factual16h ago

Press freedom at lowest level in 25 years: Report - The Straits Times

Press freedom at lowest level in 25 years: Report  The Straits Times

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rfi-englishMostly Factual11h ago

Press freedom at lowest level in 25 years, warns Reporters Without Borders

Press freedom has fallen to its lowest level in a quarter of a century, the media rights watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) warned in its annual survey of conditions for journalists in 180 countries.

By RFI

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n1-bih11h ago

Reporters Without Borders warns of deteriorating media freedom in Bosnia

Media freedom and journalistic integrity in Bosnia and Herzegovina remain starkly inconsistent, dictated by regional political climates and an increas

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oc-media13h ago

Azerbaijan and Georgia rankings plummet in World Press Freedom Index

Armenia, while ranking the highest, has also dropped in ranking.

By Yousef Bardouka

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ANSAMostly Factual10h ago

Italy drops from 49th to 56th in RSF press freedom rankings

(ANSA) - ROME, APR 30 - Italy has fallen from 49th place last year to 56th this year in the annual press freedom rankings drawn up by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). According to the Paris-based NGO, "press freedom in Italy continues to be threatened by mafia organizations, particularly in the south of the country, as well as by various extremist groups that engage in violence. "Journalists also denounce an attempt by the political class to hinder free information on judicial matters with a ...

By ANSA

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inquirerMostly Factualjust now

PH press freedom rank up but media still at risk

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines now ranks 114th in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, slightly higher than the previous year’s 116, even as the annual report shows the level of freedom enjoyed by media around the world to be at its lowest since 2001. Despite the country’s higher ranking, the international nonprofit organization, Reporters

By cbuban

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stockholm-cf8h ago

Turkey plunges to 163rd in RSF press freedom index amid deepening authoritarianism

Turkey fell to 163rd out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on Thursday, down from 159th in 2025, as the group warned that authoritarianism is deepening and media pluralism is increasingly under threat in the country. According to Turkish Minute, Turkey’s ranking puts it among countries with some of […] The post Turkey plunges to 163rd in RSF press freedom index amid deepening authoritarianism appeared first on Stockholm Center ...

By SCF

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Daily SabahMixed10h ago

Syria marks significant progress in press freedom in 2026

Syria has recorded a significant improvement in press freedom in 2026, rising 36 places to 141st in the latest rankings released by Reporters Without Borders. In its report publis...

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buenos-aires-heraldMostly Factual2h ago

Argentina falls 11 places in World Press Freedom Index

The drop, going on four consecutive years, is attributed mainly to institutional hostility and attacks on journalists La entrada Argentina falls 11 places in World Press Freedom Index se publicó primero en Buenos Aires Herald.

By Buenos Aires Herald

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dhaka-tribuneMostly Factual6h ago

RSF: Bangladesh ranks 152nd in 2026 Press Freedom Index - Dhaka Tribune

RSF: Bangladesh ranks 152nd in 2026 Press Freedom Index  Dhaka Tribune

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dutchnewsMostly Factual9h ago

World press freedom index shows worst point in 25-year history

The Netherlands has moved up one place to second in the annual world press freedom index compiled by Reporters Without...

By Louis Gore-Langton

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balkan-insightMostly Factual11h ago

Media Freedom Sliding in Serbia and Turkey, Report Warns

The latest World Press Freedom Index highlights Serbia and Turkey as countries where journalists are particularly at risk of physical attack, or subject to political pressure.

By Milica Stojanovic

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batimesMostly Factual4h ago

Reporters Without Borders: Press freedom at lowest level in 25 years - Buenos Aires Times

Reporters Without Borders: Press freedom at lowest level in 25 years  Buenos Aires Times

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err-newsMostly Factual14h ago

Estonia falls to 3rd place on World Press Freedom Index 2026

Estonia fell one place on the 2026 World Press Freedom Index to third place, dropping from last year's record high second place.

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punch-ngMostly Factual15h ago

Uphold objectivity, defend press freedom, Otti’s aide urges journalists

Abia Governor’s aide urges journalists to uphold objectivity and report the truth, stressing the administration’s sacrosanct commitment to press freedom. Read More: https://punchng.com/uphold-objectivity-defend-press-freedom-ottis-aide-urges-journalists/

By Punch Newspapers

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nl-timesMostly Factual6h ago

Netherlands rises to second place in global Press Freedom Index

The Netherlands has climbed to second place in the latest Press Freedom Index, according to the annual global ranking of 180 countries by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

By 88441

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rudawMixed7h ago

Press freedom falls in Turkey, Iraq, and Iran, improves in Syria: Report - rudaw.net

Press freedom falls in Turkey, Iraq, and Iran, improves in Syria: Report  rudaw.net

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lsm-englishMostly Factual14h ago

Latvia slips down international press freedom rankings again / Article - LSM

Latvia slips down international press freedom rankings again / Article  LSM

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lrt-englishMostly Factual16h ago

Lithuania slips down one spot in global press freedom index - LRT

Lithuania slips down one spot in global press freedom index  LRT

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morocco-world-newsMixed7h ago

Morocco Ranks 105th in RSF’s 2026 World Press Freedom Index

Morocco has moved up in the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) 2026 World Press Freedom Index, but the picture on the ground remains uneven, with journalists still working under pressure and legal risk. The post Morocco Ranks 105th in RSF’s 2026 World Press Freedom Index appeared first on Morocco World News.

By Oumaima Moho Amer

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romania-insiderMostly Factual14h ago

Press freedom at lowest level in 25 years, Romania ranked 49th out of 180

By radu.dumitrescu

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havana-timesMixed3h ago

Press Freedom in Nicaragua is “In Ruins”

For the second consecutive year, Nicaragua is the Latin American country with the worst score in RSF’s World Press Freedom Index. The post Press Freedom in Nicaragua is “In Ruins” appeared first on Havana Times.

By Circles Robinson

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iceland-reviewMostly Factual7h ago

Iceland Rises in Press Freedom Ranking Despite Global Decline

Iceland has climbed five places in the latest global press freedom index, even as conditions for journalists worsen worldwide. As reported by RÚV, the annual report by Reporters Without Borders evaluates media freedom across 180 countries and indicates a broad decline in standards. What’s the Story? Iceland ranked 12th in 2026 press freedom index by… The post Iceland Rises in Press Freedom Ranking Despite Global Decline appeared first on Iceland Review.

By Michael Chapman

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senewebMixed3h ago

Press Freedom Ranking: Why Senegal has fallen to 78th place and seen its score decline - Seneweb

Press Freedom Ranking: Why Senegal has fallen to 78th place and seen its score decline  Seneweb

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uz-dailyLow8h ago

Uzbekistan ranks 147th in RSF press freedom index 2026 - UzDaily.uz

Uzbekistan ranks 147th in RSF press freedom index 2026  UzDaily.uz

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club-of-mozambiqueMixed10h ago

Mozambique, most CPLP countries rise in RSF press freedom index - CLUB OF MOZAMBIQUE

Mozambique, most CPLP countries rise in RSF press freedom index  CLUB OF MOZAMBIQUE

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Coverage Timeline

First report: lrt-english · 30 Apr, 06:44Full coverage: 49 · 23hWindow: 23h
Left-leaningCenterRight-leaning
lrt-english30 Apr, 06:44First to report

Lithuania slips down one spot in global press freedom index - LRT

straits-times30 Apr, 07:02

Press freedom at lowest level in 25 years: Report - The Straits Times

helsingin-sanomat30 Apr, 07:48

Media | Suomi sijoittui historiallisen matalalle lehdistön­vapauden vertailussa

zdg-md30 Apr, 07:48

Indicele mondial al Libertății Presei 2026: R. Moldova revine pe locul ocupat acum doi ani, după ce a urcat patru poziții

la-vanguardia30 Apr, 08:13

España baja seis posiciones en libertad de prensa por un “deterioro generalizado” en 2026

punch-ng30 Apr, 08:15

Uphold objectivity, defend press freedom, Otti’s aide urges journalists

lsm-english30 Apr, 08:28

Latvia slips down international press freedom rankings again / Article - LSM

err-news30 Apr, 08:37

Estonia falls to 3rd place on World Press Freedom Index 2026

romania-insider30 Apr, 08:50

Press freedom at lowest level in 25 years, Romania ranked 49th out of 180

1h later
oc-media30 Apr, 10:05

Azerbaijan and Georgia rankings plummet in World Press Freedom Index

ruv30 Apr, 10:28

Ísland upp um fimm sæti en staðan aldrei verri á heimsvísu

meta-mk30 Apr, 10:33

За две години Македонија падна 9 места на Индексот на слобода на медиумите – една од главните причини е ширењето дезинформации

nos30 Apr, 10:44

Wereldwijd gaat het slecht met persvrijheid, Nederland klimt wel een plekje

publico30 Apr, 11:12

Liberdade de imprensa global atinge mínimo de 25 anos. Portugal cai dois lugares

n1-bih30 Apr, 11:20

Reporters Without Borders warns of deteriorating media freedom in Bosnia

rfi-english30 Apr, 11:29

Press freedom at lowest level in 25 years, warns Reporters Without Borders

balkan-insight30 Apr, 11:37

Media Freedom Sliding in Serbia and Turkey, Report Warns

telex30 Apr, 11:57

RSF: Hungary third lowest-ranked in EU in terms of press freedom

de-volkskrant30 Apr, 12:36

World Press Freedom Index: persvrijheid in meer dan de helft van de landen slecht of zelfs zeer slecht

ANSA30 Apr, 12:39

Italy drops from 49th to 56th in RSF press freedom rankings

observador30 Apr, 12:40

Liberdade de imprensa mais baixa nos últimos 25 anos

club-of-mozambique30 Apr, 12:40

Mozambique, most CPLP countries rise in RSF press freedom index - CLUB OF MOZAMBIQUE

morgunbladid30 Apr, 12:59

Fjölmiðlafrelsi ekki mælst minna í 25 ár

Daily Sabah30 Apr, 13:02

Syria marks significant progress in press freedom in 2026

France 2430 Apr, 13:51

Global press freedom falls to lowest level in 25 years, RSF warns

delfi-lt30 Apr, 13:58

Ukraina spaudos laisvės indekse aplenkė JAV

dutchnews30 Apr, 14:07

World press freedom index shows worst point in 25-year history

irozhlas30 Apr, 14:10

Rizika pro svobodu tisku jsou zhoršující se politické prostředí i tlaky na média, říká sociolog Štětka

mkd-mk30 Apr, 14:29

СДСМ обвини за „орбанизација“ на медиумите, ВМРО-ДПМНЕ бара Филипче да не се кара со новинарите

nzz30 Apr, 14:30

Rangliste der Pressefreiheit: Die Schweiz verbessert sich um einen Platz – Deutschland fällt zurück

balkan-web30 Apr, 14:36

Shqipëria me rënie në Indeksin e Lirisë së Shtypit, SciDev: Pati bllokadë ndaj Focus Media Group! Gazetarët nuk u lejuan në ambientet e punës

danas30 Apr, 14:40

Branko Miljuš (SSP) o posledicama Vučićeve vlasti kao sledbenika Šešelja

stockholm-cf30 Apr, 14:41

Turkey plunges to 163rd in RSF press freedom index amid deepening authoritarianism

faz30 Apr, 14:43

News-Quiz vom 30. April: In welchem Land ist die Pressefreiheit am besten?

uz-daily30 Apr, 15:09

Uzbekistan ranks 147th in RSF press freedom index 2026 - UzDaily.uz

morocco-world-news30 Apr, 15:23

Morocco Ranks 105th in RSF’s 2026 World Press Freedom Index

rudaw30 Apr, 15:26

Press freedom falls in Turkey, Iraq, and Iran, improves in Syria: Report - rudaw.net

iceland-review30 Apr, 15:33

Iceland Rises in Press Freedom Ranking Despite Global Decline

dhaka-tribune30 Apr, 16:31

RSF: Bangladesh ranks 152nd in 2026 Press Freedom Index - Dhaka Tribune

The Guardian30 Apr, 16:35

Press freedom at lowest level in 25 years amid growing authoritarian pressure

nl-times30 Apr, 16:43

Netherlands rises to second place in global Press Freedom Index

2h later
avgi30 Apr, 18:52

Στο χαμηλότερο της τελευταίας 25ετίας παγκοσμίως - Συστημική κρίση στην Ελλάδα από το 2021

batimes30 Apr, 19:10

Reporters Without Borders: Press freedom at lowest level in 25 years - Buenos Aires Times

havana-times30 Apr, 19:25

Press Freedom in Nicaragua is “In Ruins”

seneweb30 Apr, 19:41

Press Freedom Ranking: Why Senegal has fallen to 78th place and seen its score decline - Seneweb

buenos-aires-herald30 Apr, 20:25

Argentina falls 11 places in World Press Freedom Index

Al Jazeera30 Apr, 20:26

RSF condemns ‘kidnapping’ of three journalists on board Gaza aid flotilla

n1-serbia30 Apr, 20:42

Szalai: Serbia exiting Europe on media freedom

9h later
inquirer1 May, 05:42Latest update

PH press freedom rank up but media still at risk