2026 World Press Freedom Index marks a historic low for journalism
The working environment for journalists worldwide is deteriorating, according to the NGO Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The organisation's annual report, published on Thursday, concludes that 2026 represents a historic low point for press freedom and legal protections for journalists.
While Europe has topped the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, it is becoming more and more difficult to work as a journalist there, the RSF says. According to the report, several EU member states have been flouting the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), which was designed to safeguard the independence of journalists.
The organisation condemns what it calls the range of "artificial laws" that leaders use to consolidate power and curtail the freedom to report. A German national security law, for example, undermines the protection of journalists and their sources as required by the EMFA.
Belgium improves, but challenges remain
Belgium climbed to 16th place, with RSF noting an improvement in press freedom conditions. Public broadcasters are described as protected from political pressure, and media regulators are said to represent a range of ideological currents. RSF does flag, however, that Belgian media have been weakened by a sharp decline in advertising revenue.
At the top of the global ranking, Norway holds first place, followed by the Netherlands and Estonia. The United States dropped seven places to 64th, while several Latin American countries are experiencing what RSF describes as a "spiral of violence and repression" that further restricts press freedom. At the very bottom of the index are China, North Korea and Eritrea, which ranks last at 180th.
Overall, the situation in more than half of the countries surveyed is classified as "difficult" or "very difficult" — a 25-year low across all countries studied. RSF warns that legal proceedings are proving particularly dangerous for journalists. "The rule of law is crumbling, and this points to the increasing criminalisation of journalism," the organisation said.
PHOTO © Gerardo MENOSCAL / AFP
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