4.5/5
Press Freedom Index 2025
The World Press Freedom Index 2025, published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), reveals a concerning global decline in press freedom, marking the most challenging environment for journalism since the Index's inception in 2002. For the first time, the global average score has dropped below 55, categorizing the worldwide situation as "difficult."
Top 10 Countries with the Best Press Freedom in 2025
|
Rank
|
Country
|
Global Score
|
Political
|
Economic
|
Legislative
|
Social
|
Security
|
|
1
|
Norway
|
92.31
|
96.22
|
87.32
|
91.96
|
90.03
|
96.03
|
|
2
|
Estonia
|
89.46
|
90.87
|
79.4
|
90
|
91.61
|
95.41
|
|
3
|
Netherlands
|
88.64
|
89.95
|
83.85
|
89.69
|
88.05
|
91.64
|
|
4
|
Sweden
|
88.13
|
90.07
|
82.71
|
90.02
|
84.99
|
92.86
|
|
5
|
Finland
|
87.18
|
89.93
|
80.54
|
87.93
|
83.87
|
93.65
|
|
6
|
Denmark
|
86.93
|
91.13
|
78.46
|
86.78
|
83.85
|
94.43
|
|
7
|
Ireland
|
86.92
|
91.3
|
78.77
|
81.49
|
87.25
|
95.8
|
|
8
|
Portugal
|
84.26
|
88.77
|
65.83
|
86.16
|
86.74
|
93.81
|
|
9
|
Switzerland
|
83.98
|
85.7
|
73.21
|
83.73
|
83.4
|
93.86
|
|
10
|
Czechia
|
83.96
|
84.64
|
65.41
|
88.22
|
87.66
|
93.87
|
Bottom 10 Countries with the Worst Press Freedom in 2025
|
Rank
|
Country
|
Global Score
|
Political
|
Economic
|
Legislative
|
Social
|
Security
|
|
180
|
Eritrea
|
11.32
|
10.81
|
15.46
|
8.35
|
11.69
|
10.29
|
|
179
|
North Korea
|
12.64
|
12.18
|
11.05
|
16.67
|
9.46
|
13.86
|
|
178
|
China
|
14.8
|
9.78
|
20.53
|
11.23
|
15.73
|
16.74
|
|
177
|
Syria
|
15.82
|
14
|
14.39
|
16.01
|
19.64
|
15.08
|
|
176
|
Iran
|
16.22
|
12.86
|
19.26
|
16.78
|
14.55
|
17.66
|
|
175
|
Afghanistan
|
17.88
|
17.78
|
25.1
|
11.43
|
18.92
|
16.16
|
|
174
|
Turkmenistan
|
19.14
|
7.63
|
15.9
|
31.94
|
13
|
27.24
|
|
173
|
Vietnam
|
19.74
|
13.81
|
19.15
|
19.16
|
20.97
|
25.62
|
|
172
|
Nicaragua
|
22.83
|
14.76
|
24.84
|
19.88
|
30.08
|
24.6
|
|
171
|
Russia
|
24.57
|
12.05
|
32.96
|
23.41
|
30.83
|
23.57
|
Global Overview
-
Economic Fragility: Economic pressures have emerged as a significant threat to press freedom. The dominance of major tech platforms in digital advertising has eroded traditional media revenues, compromising journalistic independence.
-
Top Performers: Norway retains the top position for the ninth consecutive year, followed by Estonia and the Netherlands.
-
Bottom Rankings: China has fallen to 178th place, with North Korea and Eritrea occupying the last positions.
India's Standing
India has improved its ranking to 151st out of 180 countries, up from 159th in 2024. Despite this progress, it remains in the "very serious" category. India's position is below neighboring countries like Nepal (90th), the Maldives (104th), and Bangladesh (149th).
India has improved its ranking to 151st out of 180 countries, up from 159th in 2024. Despite this progress, it remains in the "very serious" category. India's position is below neighboring countries like Nepal (90th), the Maldives (104th), and Bangladesh (149th).
Notable Declines
United States: The U.S. has dropped to 57th place, its lowest ranking ever, attributed to increased hostility toward the media and economic challenges facing journalism.
Hong Kong: Falling to 140th place, Hong Kong has entered the "very serious" category for the first time, reflecting a sharp decline in press freedom.
United States: The U.S. has dropped to 57th place, its lowest ranking ever, attributed to increased hostility toward the media and economic challenges facing journalism.
Hong Kong: Falling to 140th place, Hong Kong has entered the "very serious" category for the first time, reflecting a sharp decline in press freedom.
Methodology
RSF's Index assesses countries based on five indicators: political context, legal framework, economic context, sociocultural context, and safety. The economic indicator has reached its lowest point, highlighting financial instability as a critical threat to press freedom.
RSF's Index assesses countries based on five indicators: political context, legal framework, economic context, sociocultural context, and safety. The economic indicator has reached its lowest point, highlighting financial instability as a critical threat to press freedom.
2 likes |
0 comment
