Press freedom is at its lowest point in the history of the RSF index. For the first time in 25 years, more than half of the world's population lives in a country where practicing journalism is difficult or even impossible. But what's causing this global decline? The average score for all countries worldwide is at a quarter century low. For the first time, the state of press freedom in more than half of all countries is now classified as difficult or very serious. Journalist work has never been more complicated or more dangerous, and our collective right to be informed has never been more under threat. For the 10th consecutive year, Norway remains at the top of the index. Conversely, Eritrea remains at the bottom. And while violence against journalists remains widespread, the 2026 index highlights another major threat — the legal frameworks that are supposed to protect journalists and guarantee access to reliable information from being weakened and even abused. Of the index's five indicators, the legal score has seen the sharpest decline this year, a sign that the criminalization of journalism is only growing. Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, legislation governing national security and defense secrecy has expanded worldwide. These laws are now being used to prosecute journalists and restrict access to information in the name of fighting terror. But their true goal is to prevent coverage of topics of public interest, whether in authoritarian regimes or democracies. The result is that between 2025 and 2026, the legal indicator deteriorated in more than 60% of the countries and territories that we surveyed. That's 110 out of 180 countries. Vladimir Putin's Russia has perfected the weaponization of laws against terrorism, separatism, and extremism to restrict press freedom. In 2026, 48 journalists in Russia were detained and everyone trying to keep reporting independently has been forced into exile. In Hong Kong, news publisher Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years in prison. In the Philippines, journalist Frenchy May Cumpio was convicted despite a complete lack of evidence. In Burundi, reporter Sandra Mojosa was prosecuted for undermining the integrity of the national territory, but thankfully she's free now. integrity of the national territory, but thankfully, she's free now. The decline in the legal indicator on the index is also due to abusive lawsuits against journalists known as SLAPs or Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation. They appear everywhere from Bulgaria to France, from Indonesia to Guatemala, a country known for the unjust case against journalist Jose Ruben Zamora. Conflict is also an important factor in the decline for certain countries. This is sadly the case in Palestine. More than 220 journalists have been killed by the Israeli army since the start of the war in Gaza, including at least 70 reporters slain while working. War has also affected press freedom in Sudan for the past three years and in South Sudan as well. Elsewhere, regime change and authoritarian crackdowns are shrinking the space for journalism. This is the case in Niger, which has seen the sharpest overall decline this year. And another notable fact, the Americas are experiencing a significant decline. Several Latin American countries are plunging into a spiral of violence and repression. Up north, US President Donald Trump has systematically attacked the press in concrete ways, causing the country to drop to 64th place this year, falling seven points to its lowest ever ranking. The 25 years that RSF has maintained its index, we've seen the tactics used to undermine press freedom evolve. Journalists continue to be killed and jailed, but journalism itself is now threatened by economic headwinds, the criminalization of reporting, and a hostile political climate. There is no freedom without press freedom. So share this video, spread the word, and support free, independent journalism that serves the public interest.