Significant Erosion of U.S. Press Freedom Observed under Trump, Cautions Reporters Without Borders
In a chilling revelation, global watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reported a dismal state of journalism, with conditions poor in more than half the world's nations. This lamentable status marks the first time such conditions have come to pass since RSF began tracking press freedom 23 years ago.
According to the organization's annual review, media freedom across the globe remains a fragile endeavor, with only a scant one-quarter of nations providing satisfactory conditions for journalists.
RSF's editorial director, Anne Bocande, highlighted the pernicious influence of economic pressures in eroding fact-based reporting. Numerous independent outlets have been forced to close due to funding shortages. Despite the continued growth in online advertising spending, which is projected to hit $247.3 billion by 2024, a substantial portion of this revenue is being cornered by tech behemoths such as Facebook, Google, and Amazon, leaving traditional media companies struggling to stay afloat.
"When journalists are impoverished," Bocande stressed, "they no longer possess the means to withstand the adversaries of the press - those who champion disinformation and propaganda."
Meanwhile, in the United States, concerns over press freedom spiraled under Donald Trump's presidency. As a result, the country plummeted 13 spots to 57th place in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, sliding behind war-torn Sierra Leone in west Africa.
RSF decried an "alarming deterioration" in press freedom during Trump's second term, characterizing it as an "authoritarian shift" in the government. The administration was accused of weaponizing institutions, curtailing support for independent media, and marginalizing journalists.
Trump's contentious relationship with the media spilled over into legal action, with announcements of potential lawsuits against the New York Times and media group Paramount. These moves marked a continuation of his adversarial stance towards the media.
Elsewhere, countries such as Argentina and Tunisia also experienced significant declines in press freedom. In Argentina, the decline is attributed to the rise of right-wing Trump ally Javier Milei, while Tunisia's situation has deteriorated under increased political and legal repression.
RSF continued to draw attention to the plight of Palestinian journalists covering Israel's devastating bombardment of Gaza. The Israeli military has reportedly destroyed newsrooms, killed nearly 200 journalists, and imposed a stringent blockade on the strip for over 18 months. Israel itself has slipped further down the index, now ranking 112th, and has been accused of suppressing its own media.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), another media watchdog, echoed RSF's concerns about declining press freedom in the United States, warning newsrooms to form a united front against the mounting threats they face.
In a stark reminder of the dire situation for journalism worldwide, RSF underscored the eroding media plurality in 46 countries, a consequence of the compounded pressures on the profession.
- Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has reported a decline in media freedom in more than half of the world's nations, marking the first time such conditions have occurred since RSF began tracking press freedom 23 years ago.
- The United States plummeted 13 spots to 57th place in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, sliding behind war-torn Sierra Leone in west Africa.
- RSF decried an "alarming deterioration" in press freedom during Donald Trump's second term, characterizing it as an "authoritarian shift" in the government.
- Anne Bocande, RSF's editorial director, emphasized the impact of economic pressures in eroding fact-based reporting, with numerous independent outlets forced to close due to funding shortages.
- Israel has been accused of suppressing its own media, with reports of destroyed newsrooms, killed journalists, and a stringent blockade on Gaza.
- The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), another media watchdog, has echoed RSF's concerns about declining press freedom in the United States, urging newsrooms to unite against the mounting threats.
- Argentina and Tunisia have also experienced significant declines in press freedom, with the decline in Argentina attributed to the rise of right-wing Trump ally Javier Milei, and Tunisia's situation deteriorating under increased political and legal repression.
