Reporters Without Borders released the 2026 World Press Freedom Index and said the average score of the 180 countries and territories surveyed was at its lowest level in 25 years. [1]
Norway stayed at the top of the ranking, extending a decade-long run in first place. Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Estonia also ranked in the top 10. [1]
RSF said for the first time in the index's history, more than half of the world's countries were classed as "difficult" or "very serious" for press freedom. The group said, "over half of the world’s countries now fall into the ‘difficult’ or ‘very serious’ categories for press freedom." [1]
RSF also said, "In 25 years, the average score of all 180 countries and territories surveyed in the Index has never been so low." [1]
The 2026 index was released in 2026 and ranked 180 countries and territories. [1]
