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Press freedom has fallen to its lowest level in a quarter of a century, according to the 2026 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The annual survey, which evaluates conditions for journalists in 180 countries, found that for the first time in its 25-year history, more than half of the world's countries are classified as having "difficult" or "very serious" press freedom conditions. The global average score has reached a record low, the organisation said.

Coverage Comparison

The findings have been reported by multiple international outlets, each with a slightly different emphasis. Al Jazeera focused on the United States, which it said has fallen to a "historic low" in the index, continuing a decade-long decline. The outlet highlighted the impact of the Trump administration's policies on press freedom, quoting an RSF official who described a "coordinated war on press freedom" since the president took office.

Deutsche Welle provided a broader global perspective, noting that the press freedom environment is now classified as "problematic" or worse in about three-fourths of the 180 countries evaluated. The report also highlighted regional discrepancies, such as the divide between Northern and Southern Europe, and the differing trajectories of Poland and Slovakia.

France 24 and RFI both emphasized the overall global decline, with France 24 reporting that this is the worst year in the index's history and that Eritrea remains the most dangerous place for journalists. RFI quoted RSF's editorial director, Anne Bocandé, who attributed the decline to "authoritarian states, complicit or incompetent political powers, predatory economic actors and under-regulated online platforms."

AllAfrica provided a regional focus on Southern Africa, detailing specific country rankings and trends within that region.

Key Claims

  • The 2026 World Press Freedom Index by RSF shows that press freedom has fallen to its lowest level in 25 years, as reported by multiple outlets including France 24 and RFI.
  • More than half of the 180 countries evaluated by RSF have press freedom environments classified as "difficult" or "very serious," a first in the index's history, according to several sources.
  • The global average score for press freedom has reached a record low, as stated by France 24 and RFI.
  • Eritrea remains the most dangerous place for journalists, ranking lowest for the third year in a row, according to France 24 and RFI.
  • The United States has fallen to a "historic low" in the RSF index, dropping seven places to 64th, as reported by Al Jazeera. The outlet also noted that the US remains in the "problematic" category.
  • Norway leads the RSF index as the best place to work as a journalist, followed by the Netherlands, Estonia, and Denmark, according to Al Jazeera and Deutsche Welle.
  • In Southern Africa, South Africa and Namibia are ranked as the leading lights, at 21st and 23rd respectively, as reported by AllAfrica. Lesotho and Botswana have shown improvements, while Tanzania and Zimbabwe have declined.

Perspectives

Reporters Without Borders (RSF): The organisation warns of a global press freedom crisis, attributing the decline to authoritarian states, political powers, predatory economic actors, and under-regulated online platforms. RSF's editorial director, Anne Bocandé, stated that "attacks on the right to information are more diverse and sophisticated," yet perpetrators are "operating in plain sight."

RSF North America Office: Clayton Weimers, executive director of RSF's North America office, described the situation in the US as a "press freedom crisis," saying that the Trump administration has carried out a "coordinated war on press freedom" since taking office. He called for protecting legal rights, ensuring accountability for attacks on media professionals, and supporting independent media.

Christina Lamb, Chief Foreign Correspondent at The Sunday Times: In a discussion on France 24, Lamb called for an independent body to investigate crimes against journalists, highlighting the dangers faced by reporters worldwide.