Overview
- The 2026 World Press Freedom Index, released Thursday, records the lowest global score since 2002 and places more than half of countries in “difficult” or “very serious” status.
- RSF reports the steepest fall in the legal environment for journalism as states deploy national security, anti-terror, and defamation laws to curb reporting.
- India dropped to 157th out of 180, with RSF citing intensified judicial harassment of independent outlets and the growing use of criminal statutes against reporters.
- The United States fell to 64th, with RSF pointing to President Donald Trump’s sustained attacks on the press, cuts to public and international broadcasters, and punitive actions against journalists.
- Conflict has sharply worsened safety conditions, with RSF documenting more than 220 journalists killed in Gaza since October 2023, including at least 70 while working.