2025 RSF Index: media’s economic fragility hits an all-time low

Reporters Without Borders presented its 2025 World Press Freedom Index with a diagnosis centered on economics: the economic indicator fell to its lowest level since the index began, and for the first time the global situation is rated “difficult.”

RSF pointed to the concentration of media ownership, the capture of advertising revenue by major tech platforms, and the withdrawal of international public aid — including the freeze on US cooperation funds — as causes of the financial strangulation of many independent media outlets.

Norway topped the list again and Eritrea again came last. The United States fell to 57th place.

Source: RSF, 2025 World Press Freedom Index.