EditRSF report: Media freedom is fragile even in democratic strongholds
This year’s report highlights a complex landscape for press freedom in EU member states and candidate countries
On May 2, 2025, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) released its annual World Press Freedom Index, a comprehensive ranking assessing press freedom in 180 countries. This year’s report highlights a complex landscape for press freedom in EU member states and candidate countries, revealing both progress and persistent challenges.
With political pressures, economic fragility, and violence against journalists on the rise, the findings underscore the fragility of media freedom even in democratic strongholds – in particular the USA since Donald Trump returned to the White House.
EU member states: a mixed picture
The EU, often seen as a bastion of democratic values, continues to grapple with uneven press freedom across its 27 member states. RSF’s 2025 Index places several EU countries at the top of the global rankings, with Norway (technically not an EU member but closely aligned) at 1st, followed by Estonia (2nd), Netherlands (3rd), Sweden (4th), and Finland (5th). These nations score highly due to robust legal frameworks, minimal political interference, and strong protections for journalists. Estonia’s rise to 2nd place is particularly notable, reflecting its progressive digital policies and commitment to media independence.
France (21st) presents a nuanced case. While its legal framework supports press freedom, RSF highlights inadequate protections for journalists’ sources and persistent police violence against reporters during protests. The 2024 Council of State decision, prompted by RSF’s appeal against the media regulator Arcom’s inaction on CNews, marked a step toward enforcing pluralism but exposed systemic gaps. Similarly, Greece (88th) remains a concern, with RSF condemning the arbitrary conviction of Franco-Canadian journalist Romain Chauvet for “spreading false information,” reflecting judicial overreach and political pressure on media.
Economic pressures also threaten media sustainability across the EU. RSF’s report emphasizes the “effondrement de la sécurité économique” (collapse of economic security) for media, particularly in countries like France and Italy (46th). The concentration of media ownership in the hands of a few tycoons, such as Vincent Bolloré in France, raises alarms about editorial independence. In Italy, economic fragility and defamation lawsuits continue to stifle investigative journalism.
Central and Eastern European newcomers: transition challenges
The EU’s expansion in the early 2000s brought several Central and Eastern European countries into the fold, including the Czech Republic (14th), Slovakia (29th), Slovenia (15th), and the Baltic states, among others. These nations, having transitioned from post-communist systems, show varied press freedom outcomes.
The Czech Republic and Slovenia rank highly, benefiting from stable legal frameworks and relatively independent media ecosystems, though economic pressures and occasional political interference persist. Slovakia, however, faces growing concerns, with RSF noting increased verbal attacks on journalists and insufficient investigations into threats against the media. The 2018 murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak remains a stark reminder of the risks faced by reporters uncovering corruption.
While these countries have made strides since joining the EU, RSF warns that democratic backsliding and media capture in neighboring states like Hungary pose risks of regional spillover, necessitating vigilant reforms to safeguard press freedom.
Hungary (ranked 67th) and Poland (47th) continue to struggle with government-led media capture. In Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s administration has tightened control over public and private media, with loyalists dominating key outlets. Poland, while showing slight improvement since the 2023 change in government, still faces challenges from lingering judicial harassment and politicised public broadcasting.
Romania (34th) and Bulgaria (59th), which joined the EU in 2007, show divergent trajectories in the 2025 Index compared to 2024. Romania has climbed slightly from 37th last year, reflecting modest improvements in legal protections and reduced political interference following recent reforms. However, RSF notes ongoing issues, including economic pressures on media outlets and occasional smear campaigns against investigative journalists. Bulgaria, conversely, has slipped from 52nd in 2024, driven by increased political pressure and judicial harassment of reporters. RSF highlights Bulgaria’s challenges with media ownership concentration and lack of transparency, which undermine editorial independence.
EU candidate countries: press freedom in peril
For EU candidate countries, the 2025 Index reveals dire challenges, with most ranking poorly due to authoritarian tendencies and systemic repression. Turkey (149th), a long-standing candidate, exemplifies this trend. RSF condemns the sentencing of Swedish journalist Joakim Medin as “undemocratic,” with the journalist detained since March 2025 in a high-security prison. Turkey’s government continues to use arbitrary detentions and legal harassment to silence dissent, with 526 journalists detained globally, many in Turkey.
Serbia (91st), another candidate, faces deteriorating conditions. Political interference, smear campaigns, and violence against journalists are rampant, with RSF noting a lack of accountability for attacks. Montenegro (40th) fares better but struggles with economic pressures and political influence over public media. North Macedonia (38th) shows relative stability, though judicial reforms are needed to protect journalists from SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) suits.
Ukraine (61st), an EU candidate since 2022, presents a unique case. Despite the war, Ukraine has maintained a resilient media environment, but RSF’s investigation into the 2022 execution of journalist Maks Levin underscores the dangers reporters face. Moldova (31st) has made strides, with reforms bolstering media independence, though economic challenges persist. Albania (57th) and Georgia (103rd) lag behind, with the latter facing increased repression amid political unrest.
Implications and RSF’s call to action
RSF’s 2025 report underscores that press freedom in the EU and its candidate countries is at a crossroads. While northern EU states set a global standard, southern and eastern members grapple with political and economic threats. Candidate countries, particularly Turkey and Serbia, face systemic issues that challenge their EU aspirations. RSF calls for a “New Deal for Journalism,” urging governments to strengthen legal protections, ensure media sustainability, and combat disinformation without compromising independence. The organization also advocates for increased support for exiled journalists, with 70% of its 2024 emergency funds allocated to their resettlement.
The Trump factor and the EU reaction to the RSF ranking
The Council of the EU issued a statement from Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, which seems to sharply criticize Donald Trump’s executive actions aimed at reducing funding for U.S. public media.
“The struggles of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty this year, as well as the pressure on many other media outlets around the world, underline the immense risks that free and independent media face in 2025. Massive funding cuts, compounded by growing political repression and increasing violence towards journalists, are driving the media sector into a deep crisis”, the statement reads.
As a US decision to possibly withdraw from UNESCO, the specialised agency of the UN aiming to promote world peace and security through international cooperation in education, science, culture, and communication, the statement goes further:
“The European Union supports the vital efforts of UNESCO to protect journalists globally, with particular attention to women journalists who face heightened, gender-specific risks. UNESCO’s data and monitoring efforts play an essential role in informing effective policy responses to address the widespread impunity for crimes against journalists.”
“A thriving, independent and pluralistic media sector is essential for the resilience and survival of democracy. We must act now to secure its future”, the EU statement concludes.
Updated: May 2, 2025 - 15:54
