Global Press Freedom Declines: Insights from the Latest RSF Report
Press freedom worldwide is facing its most challenging moment since 2002, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), as highlighted in their recent annual report published on Friday. For the first time in the history of the RSF index, the global situation regarding press freedom has worsened, driven largely by the deteriorating economic conditions of the media, which threaten their survival and integrity.
Elena G. Viscasillas, RSF spokesperson at the organization's Paris headquarters, stated that media outlets are caught between ensuring their independence and maintaining their financial viability. The report reveals that half of the assessed countries exhibit poor conditions for practicing journalism, with only a quarter reporting a good situation. Anne Bocandé, RSF's editorial director, emphasizes that without economic independence, there can be no free press. When media are economically fragile, they often prioritize audience engagement over quality journalism, becoming susceptible to manipulation by oligarchs or political leaders.
The United States leads the decline in media economic health, dropping to 57th in the rankings— a fall of two spots from the previous year and twelve from 2023. This decline is exacerbated by the closure of media outlets, contributing to the emergence of news deserts. RSF also highlights that the cessation of funding for significant media organizations during Donald Trump’s second term has left over 400 million people worldwide without reliable access to information. Moreover, the freezing of USAID funds has negatively impacted hundreds of media outlets, particularly in Ukraine where 90% of the media rely on foreign donations.
Additionally, the report points out severe media ownership concentration in 46 countries, which is concerning even in well-established democracies like Finland (ranked 5th), Canada (21st), and Australia (29th). For instance, in France, eight billionaire families control about twenty outlets, which account for 81% of national daily circulation and 95% of weekly circulation.
Norway continues to lead the RSF rankings for the ninth consecutive year, distinguished as the only country that maintains a good situation across all five indicators assessed by RSF. Following Norway are Estonia, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Ireland, all of which are recognized for their favorable press conditions. In stark contrast, Eritrea remains at the bottom of the index for yet another year, with neighboring North Korea, China, Syria, Iran, and Afghanistan comprising the bottom five.
The Americas, too, face notable declines, with 22 out of 26 assessed countries showing deteriorating media economic health indicators. Argentina, in particular, has seen a drastic drop to 87th, worsening by 47 positions within two years. The most disadvantaged country in the region is Nicaragua (172nd), where the regime has systematically dismantled independent media. Other countries like Cuba (165th), Venezuela (160th), and Mexico (124th) also demonstrate concerning trends in press freedom.
Despite the global trend of worsening press conditions, Spain has emerged as a relative success story, climbing the RSF ranks from 30th to 23rd—a new high for the nation. This improvement is attributed to better political, sociocultural, and safety conditions for journalists. Nonetheless, RSF’s report indicates that Spain still faces challenges regarding economic sustainability in journalism. Edith Rodríguez Cachera, vice president of RSF Spain, warns of the chronic precariousness of the profession, underlining the urgent need for the sector to prioritize quality information and secure journalists' labor rights as key solutions to the ongoing crisis.
As RSF emphasizes, the gap between Western Europe and other regions is widening, reflecting an unsettling global trend that undermines press freedom across the globe.
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