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3w ago

2025 Press Freedom Index Hits Record Low Amid Global Media Crisis

Economic instability and political interference, including actions by the Trump administration, drive unprecedented declines, with Palestine deemed the most dangerous for journalists and the U.S. falling to a historic 57th place.

Riot police officers detain a journalist during an unsanctioned rally urging fair elections at Moscow's Pushkinskaya Square.
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 29: U.S. President Donald Trump takes a question from a reporter before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on April 29, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump will travel to Michigan for a 100th Day in Office rally. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
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The Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index map for 2025. It's a lot of red and orange, with a smattering of green in northern Europe. Picture: RSF

Overview

  • The 2025 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders classifies global press freedom as 'difficult' for the first time, marking its lowest score since tracking began in 2002.
  • Economic pressures, exacerbated by concentrated media ownership and reduced public funding, are identified as the primary drivers of declining press freedom worldwide.
  • The United States dropped to its worst-ever ranking of 57th, with the Trump administration criticized for cutting funding to public broadcasters and sidelining independent media.
  • Palestine is now the deadliest environment for journalists, with nearly 200 media workers killed during the ongoing Gaza conflict, according to the report.
  • Europe remains the strongest region for press freedom, with Norway leading the rankings for the ninth consecutive year, while India ranks 151st, still in the 'very serious' category despite slight improvement.