Press Freedom Hit Lowest Level in 25 Years: Reporters Without Borders Warns
For the first time in the 25-year history of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) World Press Freedom Classification, more than half of the countries analyzed are in a 'difficult' or 'very serious' situation.
TL;DR
- For the first time in 25 years, over half of countries analyzed are in a 'difficult' or 'very serious' press freedom situation.
- The global average score for press freedom has reached an all-time low.
- Journalism is being criminalized through restrictive laws, often under the guise of national security, affecting both authoritarian regimes and democracies.
- The Americas region has seen one of the most pronounced declines, with the United States falling to 64th place.
- Latin America faces a critical situation, with Ecuador and Peru experiencing sharp drops in rankings due to journalist assassinations and violence.
- Globally, only 1% of the population now lives in countries with a 'good' press freedom situation, down from 20% in 2002.
- Norway remains at the top of the classification for the tenth consecutive year, while Eritrea is at the bottom.