One in Two Countries in 'Difficult' or 'Very Serious' Situation: The Crash of a Free Press

In 2026, over half of the countries evaluated by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) are in 'difficult' or 'very serious' situations, an alarming figure of 52.2%. Norway remains at the top of the global ranking for the tenth consecutive year, while Eritrea holds the last position. Armed conflicts, particularly in Gaza, have severely impacted press freedom, with over 220 journalists killed since October 2023. Syria has seen a significant improvement, moving from 177th to 141st place following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime.