Press freedom at lowest level in 25 years amid growing authoritarian pressure

Journalists demonstrate in Tunis this month over the arrest of Franco-Tunisian columnist Mourad Zeghidi, who has been imprisoned since 2024. Photograph: Mohamed Hammi/SIPA/Shutterstock

Press freedom around the world is at its lowest ebb in a generation, according to an influential annual index that highlights growing authoritarian pressure on the media.

The average score for the 180 countries assessed by the World Press Freedom Index, compiled by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), was the lowest in the index’s 25-year history.