The 2025 World Press Freedom Index, released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), paints a grim picture of global journalism. For the first time in the index’s history, half of the world’s countries are classified as having a “poor” environment for press freedom. Only 45 nations—less than a quarter of those assessed—received “satisfactory” or “good” ratings. This marks a significant decline from previous years, where more countries were deemed to have favorable conditions for journalism.
Economic Pressures and Political Hostility
RSF attributes this downturn to a combination of economic challenges and political hostility. The proliferation of digital platforms has led to a decline in advertising revenues for traditional media outlets, undermining their financial independence. Simultaneously, political leaders in several countries have escalated attacks on the media. In the United States, for instance, the re-election of Donald Trump has been linked to increased media closures and a decline in support for independent journalism .
Gaza: The Deadliest Place for Journalists
The situation in Gaza has reached a particularly dire point. Since the onset of the conflict in October 2023, over 100 Palestinian journalists have been killed, with at least 22 of these deaths occurring during their journalistic activities. RSF has characterized this as an “unprecedented bloodbath” and has filed complaints with the International Criminal Court regarding these incidents .
Global Rankings and Regional Disparities
Norway continues to lead the index, followed by Denmark and Sweden. Conversely, countries like Eritrea, North Korea, and Afghanistan remain at the bottom, with press freedom conditions categorized as “very serious.” In the Middle East, more than 50% of countries face “very serious” threats to media freedom, underscoring the region’s challenges .
A Call to Action
Anne Bocandé, RSF’s editorial director, emphasized the diminishing role of states in protecting press freedom, noting a troubling trend of governments failing to safeguard journalists and media independence . As the world observes World Press Freedom Day, the 2025 index serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address these escalating threats to journalism worldwide.
