World press freedom hits new low as authoritarianism rises

Key Points:

• The 2026 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reveals that press freedom is "problematic" or worse in about 75% of the 180 countries assessed, with over half facing "difficult" to "very serious" conditions for media.
• Press freedom is strongest in Northern and Western Europe, with countries like Norway, Estonia, the Netherlands, and Denmark leading, while parts of Africa and Asia experience the harshest environments for journalists.
• Political changes have influenced press freedom trends in countries like Poland, where freedom improved after a government change in 2023, and Slovakia, where media hostility has increased under Prime Minister Robert Fico's return to power.
• Leaders such as Argentina's Javier Milei, Slovakia's Robert Fico, and former U.S. President Donald Trump have used verbal attacks and smear campaigns against journalists, contributing to declining press freedom even in traditionally democratic countries.
• Networks of journalists, civil society groups, and allied organizations play a crucial role in supporting press freedom, as seen in South Africa, where strong advocacy has helped maintain a "satisfactory" rating despite global declines.