US ranks at historic low in global press freedom index

Reporters Without Borders Issues Warning on Press Freedom in the United States

A report by Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF), or Reporters Without Borders, has found that the United States has fallen to a “historic low” in terms of press freedom, according to its annual press freedom tracker. The organization’s 2025 report recorded a global decline in press freedom indicators, with over half of the world’s countries now classified as “difficult” or “very serious”.

In the US, the country dropped seven spaces from 57th in the world to 64th on the list. Norway led the rankings, while Eritrea was ranked lowest among 180 countries.

Clayton Weimers, executive director of RSF’s North America office, stated that the US is experiencing a “press freedom crisis”. He attributed this to policies implemented by the Trump administration and the consolidation of media companies in the country. The report highlights the acquisition of Paramount Global by Skydance Media, which includes CBS News, as well as the acquisition of Warner Bros by Paramount Skydance.

Weimers emphasized the need for protection of legal rights, accountability for attacks on media professionals, and support for independent media to restore American press freedom. The report also notes that the head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has accelerated pressure on media figures and journalists during Trump’s second term.

The FCC chair, Brendan Carr, has threatened to revoke licenses of broadcasters that do not operate in the public interest, including those covering the US-Israel war with Iran and Trump’s immigration policies. The effort has also extended to television talk show hosts, who have been threatened over jokes. An investigation into several ABC channels was recently announced following a joke made by Jimmy Kimmel about the White House Correspondents Dinner.

The report provides a snapshot of the current state of press freedom in the US and highlights concerns among media observers and critics.

Source: Al Jazeera