AMMAN — Global press freedom has fallen to its lowest level in 25 years, according to the latest World Press Freedom Index released by Reporters without Borders (RSF) on World Press Freedom Day, marked annually on May 3.

 

For the first time since the index was launched, more than half of the 180 countries assessed are classified as having “difficult” or “very serious” conditions for journalism.

 

RSF said the decline reflects a steady expansion of restrictive legal frameworks, particularly those linked to national security.

 

It said these measures are increasingly used to limit the flow of information.

 

The organisation warned that its legal indicator recorded the sharpest drop over the past year.

 

This, it said, signals a growing trend towards the criminalisation of journalism worldwide.

 

In the Americas, the United States dropped seven places in the ranking.

 

RSF linked the decline to deterioration in the media environment.

 

Several Latin American countries also continue to face violence and pressure against journalists.

 

Jordan ranked 142nd, maintaining the same position as last year.

 

Of the 180 countries, Mauritania ranked 61st, the highest among Arab countries, followed by Qatar at 75th, Morocco at 105th and Lebanon at 115th.

 

At the global level, Scandinavian countries continued to dominate the top positions.

 

Norway ranked first, followed by The Netherlands, Estonia, Denmark and Sweden.

 

Media laws expert Yahya Shqeir said press freedom remains a key pillar in strengthening democratic systems and protecting fundamental rights.

 

“Press freedom is essential to combating corruption, addressing poverty and unemployment, and advancing development,” he noted.

 

Shqeir said earlier reform efforts in Jordan had provided a clear framework for improving the media environment, including lifting custodial penalties in press laws.

 

UNESCO’s latest report on global trends in freedom of expression and media development highlighted a continued and broad-based decline in media independence and freedom of expression worldwide.

 

UNESCO data also showed that 310 journalists have been killed between the beginning of 2022 and September 2025, including 24 women. Of these, 162 were killed while covering armed conflicts, reflecting the heightened risks faced by media workers in war zones.

 

It added that 82 journalists were killed in 2024 alone, marking a particularly deadly year for the profession. Since 2010, at least 46 journalists have also been killed in connection with reporting on climate and environmental issues.

 

The United Nations marks May 3 as World Press Freedom Day to highlight the importance of independent media.