Press freedom at lowest level in 25 years — RSF

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has sounded a dire alarm, declaring that press freedom has plummeted to its lowest level in a quarter-century. This stark assessment, detailed in their latest index, reveals a global landscape where the space for independent journalism is rapidly shrinking. The watchdog group points to a disturbing trend: for the first time in the index's 25-year history, more than half of all countries now fall into categories designated as 'difficult' or 'very serious' for press freedom.

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For the first time in the (RSF) Index’s 25-year history, more than half the world’s countries now fall into the ‘difficult’ or ‘very serious’ categories for press freedom.

The implications are profound. RSF reports that the average score for press freedom worldwide has never been lower. Compounding this grim picture, the proportion of the global population residing in countries where press freedom is considered 'good' has drastically fallen from 20 percent to less than one percent. This means that a vast majority of people are now living under conditions where accessing reliable, diverse, and uncensored information is a significant challenge.

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The average score for all countries and territories worldwide has never been so low.

The report cites specific, high-profile examples that illustrate this decline. The systematic attacks on journalists by former U.S. President Donald Trump are singled out, alongside the execution of a journalist in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, the United States itself has seen a notable drop in its press freedom ranking, now standing at 64th place. The situation in Russia, which has become adept at using anti-terrorism laws to restrict journalists, and the dramatic decline in junta-led Niger, are also highlighted as critical examples of this worrying global trend.

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The share of the world’s population living in a country where the press freedom situation is considered “good” has plunged from 20 per cent to less than one per cent.