US Press Freedom Declines Sharpest in the Americas, Report Finds

A New Report Ranks Americas’ Press Freedom Lowest Since 2020

The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) has released its latest report on press freedom in the Americas, ranking the region’s average score at its lowest point since the organization began tracking results six years ago. The report found a “dramatic deterioration” in unrestricted speech across the hemisphere.

According to the report, 23 countries were ranked based on their level of press freedom, with the United States experiencing the steepest decline. The US dropped from fourth place to 11th, indicating that journalists face increased restrictions. Researchers cited changes under President Donald Trump as a primary factor in this decline.

The report noted that even though journalistic practice is protected by the Constitution and laws, safeguards have been eroded. Trump’s administration contributed to the “stigmatisation of critical journalism.” The report also highlighted detriments to the free press, including cuts to public media funding and the closure of Voice of America, a government-funded broadcaster.

In total, 170 attacks against journalists were recorded in the US last year, with interactions with federal immigration agents being an area of concern. Nicaragua and Venezuela continue to rank as “without freedom of expression.” El Salvador also dropped in the index’s latest evaluation, now ranking 21st on the press freedom list.

The report stated that 50 Salvadoran journalists had been pushed into exile amid a campaign of harassment by the government. The country’s new Foreign Agents Law has given the government the power to dissolve organisations that receive funding from abroad. Eight nations, including El Salvador, Ecuador, and Honduras, were categorised as “high restriction” in the report.

In contrast, countries such as Canada and Brazil ranked among the highest for protecting press freedoms.

Source: Al Jazeera