France (25) and Italy (49) each dropped a number of locations in comparison with 2024, whereas the UK (20) improved barely and Poland (31) leaped greater than a dozen spots.
Greece recorded the worst end result within the European Union for the fourth yr in a row, coming in at 89. The primary causes for its lackluster rating embody wiretapping of journalists by intelligence businesses utilizing Predator spyware, authorities interference, intimidatory lawsuits and insufficient authorized guardrails.
Its Balkan neighbors additionally fared poorly, with Croatia (60), Bosnia (86), Serbia (96) and Kosovo (99) all among the many worst in Europe.
For the primary time for the reason that index’s inception in 2002, the common rating out of 100 fell under 55, with journalism circumstances labeled as “tough” or “very critical” in additional than half of all international locations assessed. RSF cited financial instability and media focus as components contributing to a worsening press freedom local weather.
Within the Center East, dozens of reporters have been killed throughout Israel’s navy assault in Gaza, the group stated. Iran, Syria, China, North Korea and Eritrea have been ranked the 5 worst international locations on the earth to be a journalist, with non-existent press freedom.
The USA fell two locations to 57. President Donald Trump’s administration is bringing a few “troubling deterioration” by means of funding cuts to public media and international assist, RSF added.
