President Biden’s warning that an independent press is facing its lowest point in a quarter-century, with increasing attacks in Gaza and Lebanon. Reporters Without Borders highlighted a general degradation of press freedom worldwide, with the United States and Saudi Arabia notably singled out for systematic attacks on journalism. The annual ranking saw a significant decline in the proportion of countries with favorable press freedom conditions, with only seven Northern European nations meeting this standard.
France ranked 25th, while the United States dropped seven places to 64th, reflecting President Trump’s attacks on the media and crackdowns on press freedom. Beyond physical threats and imprisonment, political and economic pressures were also noted as significant challenges facing journalists.
Countries like El Salvador and Georgia witnessed significant drops in press freedom rankings due to government crackdowns and conflict-driven oppression. RSF pointed out that even countries previously heralded for press freedom, like Mali and Burkina Faso, deteriorated under military regimes. Saudi Arabia, where journalist Turki al-Jasser was executed by the state, plummeted to 176th place in the rankings, alongside Russia, Iran, and China at the bottom. However, Syria notably rose in the rankings following regime changes.
The legal environment for journalists was identified as the most deteriorated aspect in 2025, with increasing national security laws restricting journalism globally. Libel lawsuits and legal intimidation were used to target journalists and stifle investigative reporting. Despite these challenges, initiatives like the European Media Freedom Act were noted as steps towards protecting press freedom in the face of growing threats.
