The 2025 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) paints a stark picture: global press freedom is now in a “difficult situation,” driven largely by unprecedented economic pressures on news outlets and persistent threats—physical, legal, and political—against journalists. For the first time, RSF’s economic indicator shows that nearly 90% of countries report media outlets struggling to survive financially or having already closed, while concentrated ownership and digital‐ad revenue shifts squeeze local and independent voices .
At the same time, many established democracies show pockets of resilience, balancing legal protections and public funding against new challenges posed by digital platforms and political hostility. As we mark World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, the News Media Coalition (NMC) examines the Index’s global trends and takes a closer look at seven NMC member countries.
As we mark World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, the News Media Coalition (NMC) highlights both this alarming context and the irreplaceable human craft that underpins every journalistic breakthrough. The new NMC series, “What It Takes to Take a Photo,” explores the time, risk and expertise behind award‑winning news images—and underscores why AI’s appetite for raw content must not eclipse the value of professional news gathering.
Global Trends: Economic Fragility and Rising Risks
RSF warns that “without economic independence, there can be no free press.” In 2025, 88.9% of countries report media outlets in precarious financial health or outright closure—an all‐time high. Beyond closures, the shift of advertising dollars to tech platforms, combined with opaque public subsidies and ownership concentration, undermines newsroom independence and plurality. Physical attacks, legal harassment, and surveillance continue to endanger journalists, but it is the collapse of the economic pillar of press freedom that now poses the greatest threat worldwide .
United Kingdom (20th, “Satisfactory”)
The UK climbs three places to 20th, retaining a “satisfactory” ranking. Positive steps include cross‐party support for anti‑SLAPP legislation and the release of Julian Assange. Yet transnational attacks on journalists, police surveillance, and the targeting of media during 2024 riots weigh heavily. The UK’s weakest performance is on economics—a reflection of concentrated media ownership and fragile funding models.
Germany (16th, “Good”)
Germany holds steady at 16th with a “good” classification. Robust public‐service media funding and strong legal safeguards underpin its ranking. However, hate speech online and the financial viability of local publishers in rural areas remain concerns, as digital ad revenue continues to shift away from traditional outlets.
Spain (25th, “Satisfactory”)
Spain remains in 25th place, “satisfactory.” Its diverse press landscape and legal protections guard against censorship, but economic strain on local dailies and legal actions under national‑security and defamation laws continue to hamper press freedom, particularly for Catalan‑language and regional media.
France (29th, “Satisfactory”)
France slips to 29th but remains “satisfactory.” Constitutional protections support a free press, yet media ownership concentration among a few billionaires and the financial struggles of regional titles erode pluralism. “Fake news” laws and occasional surveillance of journalists also raise red flags.
Italy (41st, “Problematic”)
Italy’s ranking remains problematic at 41st. Chronic under‑funding of local news outlets has led to widespread closures, and a press ecosystem dominated by a handful of private owners undermines editorial independence. Journalists face frequent intimidation and political interference, with little state support to counter these pressures.
Australia (29th, “Satisfactory”)
Australia climbs into the top 30, tied at 29th. Its strong defamation laws and well‑funded public broadcaster (ABC) are positives, but media ownership concentration and the hollowing out of rural and regional outlets pose ongoing challenges, as digital platforms capture an ever‑larger share of ad revenue.
United States (57th, “Problematic”)
The US falls two places to 57th, entering the “problematic” category. A dramatic loss of local news outlets—driven by economic collapse—has created news deserts, while rising hostility toward journalists and the defunding of international public media deepen the crisis. Physical and legal threats to reporters, along with the unchecked power of digital gatekeepers, weaken the foundations of a free press.
These country profiles underscore that press freedom depends not only on legal protections but also on sustainable economic models. In every case, economic fragility and concentrated ownership threaten the journalistic independence so vital to democracy.
And as NMC “What It Takes to Take a Photo” series demonstrates, each photograph—whether capturing protest in Nairobi, an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania, or wildlife in Antarctica—represents years of training, risk, and editorial judgment. Preserving press freedom means safeguarding both the institutions that fund journalism and the human creativity that makes each image possible.
Discover NMC’s full ‘What it takes to take a photo’ here, and explore RSF’s report here.
