EditWorld Press Freedom Index: EU media freedom law strained by uneven enforcement
The EU–Balkans area retains first place in the global press freedom, despite a general deterioration in journalistic conditions
Despite the entry into force of the European Media Freedom Act in August 2025, its application remains inconsistent across the EU and neighbouring countries, with multiple governments failing to fully comply with key safeguards for journalistic independence, public service media autonomy and protection of sources. This is reflected in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index published today by Reporters Without Borders.
Estonia (3rd), whose public broadcaster has also faced political pressure, has slipped in the EU ranking, overtaken by the Netherlands (2nd). In Hungary (74th, -6), the outgoing government of Viktor Orbán has been accused of refusing to implement the EMFA, restricting freedom of expression through the so-called Sovereignty Protection Office, described by critics as an instrument for institutionalising pressure on journalists, and further politicising media regulation.
Hungary now ranks among the lowest-performing EU member states on press freedom, alongside Cyprus (80th) and Greece (86th), where EU legislation has so far failed to address concerns over the “oligarchisation” of the media landscape and ongoing risks to journalists’ safety.
Regionally, Eastern Europe and Central Asia remains second from the bottom in the global press freedom ranking, while the EU–Balkans area retains first place despite a general deterioration in journalistic conditions.
With the exception of Kosovo (84th out of 180 countries, +15 places since 2025), which recorded improvements while still remaining among the lowest-ranked European jurisdictions, press freedom in the Western Balkans is broadly deteriorating. Although Albania (83rd, -3), Bosnia and Herzegovina (90th, -4) and Serbia (104th, -8) continue to pursue EU accession, all three are assessed as increasingly hostile environments for journalism and vulnerable to disinformation.
Moldova (31st) remains the only Eastern European country classified as having a “satisfactory” level of press freedom, although the regional average has declined across all indicators, particularly in the legal framework.
US falls apart under Trump
Since 2022, the overall ranking of the 28 countries in the Americas has fallen by 14 points, a decline comparable to that seen in the world’s most dangerous regions for journalists, Eastern Europe – Central Asia and the Middle East–North Africa. Despite some limited improvements in countries such as Brazil (52nd), the region’s recent trajectory has been shaped by rising violence from organised crime and political actors targeting journalists.
The United States has seen a notable deterioration under President Donald Trump, whose repeated attacks on the press have been described as part of a more systematic policy approach. The country has fallen to 64th place (-7), amid growing concerns over the safety of journalists and an increasingly hostile environment for media work.
The detention and subsequent deportation of Salvadoran journalist Mario Guevara has further contributed to tensions, highlighting concerns over police conduct and press safety. At the same time, deep cuts to the workforce of the United States Agency for Global Media have had global consequences, leading to the closure or downsizing of international broadcasters including Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia in several countries where they were among the last remaining reliable sources of independent information.
In Latin America, political leaders seen as aligned with Trump’s rhetoric have also adopted more confrontational approaches towards the media, with similar outcomes for press freedom indicators.
Argentina under President Javier Milei (-11) and El Salvador under President Nayib Bukele (-8) have both recorded significant declines. These drops are linked to worsening political and social conditions, as well as increased pressure on independent journalism and a growing climate of hostility towards critical media voices.
Legislation increasingly used as a tool of pressure
Several overlapping trends are driving the decline in the Eastern Europe and Central Asian region. Legal frameworks are increasingly being used to constrain media independence and align outlets with political power, rather than to safeguard the right to information.
Following more than a year of political instability and restrictions on protest coverage, Georgia (135th) has fallen 21 places in the index. The introduction and enforcement of restrictive legislation, including so-called “foreign agents” laws and tighter rules on media funding, alongside growing barriers to access to information, are cited as evidence of weakening rule of law.
In Armenia (50th), where press freedom is now assessed as “problematic,” the deterioration is linked to a rise in abusive defamation cases and legislative initiatives perceived as having a chilling effect on media outlets.
At the bottom of the global ranking, Belarus (165th), Azerbaijan (171st), Russia (172nd) and Turkmenistan (173rd) record some of the lowest legal scores worldwide, ranging between 22 and 32 out of 100.
In Belarus and Russia, the latter described as the world’s second-largest prison for journalists and the largest for foreign reporters in the world, all of them Ukrainian – anti-terrorism and anti-extremism legislation is frequently used to criminalise journalistic activity.
Against this backdrop, Ukraine (55th, +7) stands out as a relative exception, recording a modest improvement despite Russia’s ongoing war of aggression. This is attributed to a resilient media sector and continued investigative reporting aimed at strengthening transparency in public life.
Updated: April 30, 2026 - 06:00
