U.S. press freedom falls to historical low

Data: Reporters Without Borders; Chart: Axios VisualsPress freedom in the United States has hit a record low, according to the latest World Press Freedom Index published annually by Reporters Without Borders. Why it matters: For years, American press freedom was generally considered "satisfactory" by Reporters Without Borders' standards. As of last year, it's now "problematic."Press freedom in the U.S. now falls in line with developing countries, such as Gambia, Uruguay and Sierra Leone.The big picture: While physical threats against journalists are often a clear sign of eroding press freedoms, Reporters Without Borders cites economic strains on the media as the biggest driver of declines globally.This is especially in autocratic nations, such as Nicaragua, Belarus and Iran, as well as unstable democracies such as Turkey and Hungary. Between the lines: Economic strain is increasingly tied to government efforts to financially undermine critical or independent outlets. Reporters Without Borders cites the Trump administration's efforts to cut funding to public broadcasters, such as Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, as an example of this trend. It also cites non-government factors as threats to funding journalism, such as the dominance of major internet platforms over the advertising economy. Such constraints have led to record consolidation globally amongst media outlets, which has led to more media ownership being highly concentrated or controlled by the state. Startling stat: Reporters Without Borders has been surveying press freedom globally for over a decade across five indicators — political, legal, economic, sociocultural and safety. The economic indicator worldwide has reached a new low point, with 160 of the 180 nations surveyed experiencing "difficult" or "no" financial stability. In the U.S. economic hardship is most prevalent amongst local news outlets, leading to an unprecedented number of news deserts for such a powerful country. Zoom out: The report, published Friday ahead of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, also underscores how much global instability impacts quality journalism. It cites conflict in areas like Gaza and Haiti as examples where political instability "has plunged the media economy into chaos." The gutting of the United States Agency for International Development, it says, has thrown "hundreds of news outlets into a critical state of economic instability and some to shut down — particularly in Ukraine."The big picture: More than half of the world's population now lives in countries where press freedom is entirely absent and practicing journalism is considered dangerous, according the the index.Countries like China, Uganda and Ethiopia are now classified as "very serious" in terms of press freedom threats, as opposed to difficult. Go deeper: Trump targets the media in his first 100 days

Comments

World news

Arizona communities bank on Trump's push for coal to ensure they're not forgotten

Comments

Similar News

Warren I. Cohen, leading scholar of U.S.-China relations, dies at 90

U.S. Army confirms it will hold anniversary parade on Donald Trump’s birthday

U.S. charges 4 Mexicans for alleged human smuggling across Canadian border

What Trump’s New Budget Says About U.S. Foreign Policy

Scoop: U.S. and Israel near agreement on aid delivery to Gaza

A U.S.-led effort to end the war in Ukraine looks favorable to Russia, but mixed signals emerge

Chris Selley: Our blundering Elections Canada only looks good compared to the U.S. system

U.S. says more children died this flu season than in the past 15 years

Two Scientific Groups Say They’ll Keep Working on U.S. Climate Assessment

Japanese finance minister says selling U.S. bonds a "card on the table"

For the U.S. and China, the Only Talking Is About Whether to Talk

Some retailers stop selling to U.S. consumers amid uncertainty over tariffs

Aritzia shifts some supply from China amid U.S. tariffs, CEO says

Democrats Demand That White House Return Abrego Garcia to U.S.

China Fires Back at U.S. in Escalating Trade War

No Talk, but Some Action on U.S.-China Tariffs

U.S.-China Trade War Worries Markets, Sparks Tariff Negotiations

Beijing Again Raises Tariffs on U.S., Calls Trade Actions a ‘Joke’

U.S. Tariffs on China Trigger Retaliatory Measures

U.S. Delegation Visits Greenland Amid Trump Pressure Campaign

World news

Arizona communities bank on Trump's push for coal to ensure they're not forgotten

Protesters want Morocco to sever ties with Israel, so they're targeting strategic ports

‘SNL’ cold open mocks Trump’s use of executive orders: ‘Reduce the number of interracial couples in TV commercials’

Australia's re-elected prime minister says voters chose unity over division

Romanians vote in a presidential redo after voided election sparked deep political crisis

Pope Francis left unfinished business after a 12-year papacy. What challenges await the next pope?

Protesters want Morocco to sever ties with Israel, so they're targeting strategic ports

Japan and China accuse each other of violating airspace around disputed East China Sea islands

Life in the fast lane: Middle East’s first all-women supercar club smashes petrolhead stereotypes

Vehicle crashes into entrance at Manila airport, killing 2 people including a 4-year-old girl

A roofless palace in Italy's Viterbo hosted the first and longest conclave

Leafs, Oilers given starting dates for Round 2

I have endometriosis and it inflamed my psoriasis – but it was a fight to be heard

Should I withhold my son’s inheritance until he’s more responsible with money?

‘I run a pharmacy – but we need more money to cope with NHS pressures’

Why Britain isn’t ready for a trade war with Trump

12 foods that can be secret UPFs – how to pick the best options

The abandoned African ghost town that's one of the world's most remote places

The new incredible night train that will link 2 popular holiday hotspots

The pretty Spanish town so unhappy with its name it's tried changing it three times

Russian economy meltdown as gas and electricity bills soar 40% and mortgage rates rocket

The 'charismatic' cardinal Donald Trump wants as Pope - but key detail may prevent it

The incredible £75bn mega-project that's China's 'new Great Wall'

Pilot killed as small plane crashes into homes in California

Girl, 10, killed as tree falls on family home in Atlanta during storm

Australia’s re-elected government says ‘dark shadow’ of US-China trade war top priority

A legislative session like no other: Key issues that didn't go in Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' favor

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Kyiv says it destroyed Russian fighter jet using sea drone for first time

Strong 5.3 magnitude earthquake hits remote area of Texas

Lady Gaga puts on her biggest-ever show for free on Copacabana Beach

Israeli pilots' protest letter reveals deepening rift over ongoing war in Gaza

Soldier's guilt ate away at him for 30 years after murdering mum in front of toddler

Jewels linked to Buddha remains go to auction, sparking ethical debate

How Katy Perry became the Hot and Cold popstar

Clair Obscur: How a passion project became 2025's most talked-about game

‘Young people feel very smothered’: Reform’s plan to grab youth vote

Scoop: Hegseth plans Israel visit ahead of Trump's Middle East trip

Young men were getting a haircut ahead of Swedish festival - then they were shot dead

Romania reruns controversial election after earlier vote annulled

Burro racing wins over runners in backcountry ode to mining history

Ohio deputy killed by father of 18-year-old fatally shot by police a day earlier

Quebec drug maker recalls pain medicine amid potentially fatal health risks

Five arrested over alleged terrorism plot

How Carney's election win will change direction of trade war

The Vatican installs chimney to signal the selection of the next pope

Ohio divorce attorney accused of murdering client to avoid trying her case in court

Mexico's president says she rejected Trump's plan to send US troops across the border

Gausman, Bichette shine in Jays loss to Guardians

How the NHS will be able to diagnose cancer cases faster

Europe marks VE Day with Trump on its mind

Crowds flock to free Lady Gaga concert in Brazil

Trump criticised after posting AI image of himself as Pope

Warren Buffett, 94, stepping down as Berkshire Hathaway CEO

Zelensky says talk with Trump at the Vatican was their most productive to date

Post office worker seen on camera beating young girl while in full uniform

AOC town hall descends into chaos as protester calls her a ‘liar’

RCMP called in after derelict ferry burns in ‘suspicious’ blaze overnight