Africa: World Press Freedom Index 2025 - Over Half the World's Population in Red Zones

The 2025 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reveals alarming facts. Over half of the world's population lives in countries with "very serious" press freedom issues. This amounts to 4.25 billion people across 42 countries marked in bright red on the Index's map. RSF created this map to show the scale of attacks on reliable information worldwide.

This situation is shocking. More than half of global citizens face extreme dangers for press freedom. In these places, being a journalist can mean risking life or liberty. Meanwhile, fewer than 8% live in areas classified as "good" or "satisfactory."

In the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, 50% of the world’s population resides in 36 countries with severe press freedom issues. This is an increase from 31 countries in 2023. Five of the ten most populous nations are highlighted in red: India (159th), China (172nd), Pakistan (152nd), Bangladesh (165th), and Russia (162nd).

Except for India, which is holding elections now, all these countries had elections recently. These events only reinforced their low rankings on the Index.

The number of countries marked bright red has doubled over five years, from 21 to 42. Less than 0.8% of the global population lives where press freedom is fully guaranteed. Additionally, less than 8% reside in areas where it is considered satisfactory.

This stark imbalance highlights a global crisis affecting everyone's right to reliable information.

Blanche Marès, a data journalist responsible for the Press Freedom Index, stated that more than half of humanity lives under very serious press freedom conditions. She urged governments to protect reliable information rights and take action against worsening situations.

Among the worst safety scores for journalists are six notable countries:

1. Palestine (157th) remains extremely dangerous for journalists.
2. Almost 200 journalists have been killed in Gaza since October 2023.
3. China (178th) and Myanmar (169th) have many detained journalists.
4. Syria (177th) has the highest number of journalists held hostage.
5. Afghanistan (175th) faces increasing media closures.
6. Mexico (124th) has many missing journalists with unsolved cases.

Three East African nations—Uganda (143rd), Ethiopia (145th), and Rwanda (146th)—have also fallen into this "very serious" category this year.

In Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan (144th) and Kazakhstan (141st) saw declining scores as well.

Jordan dropped significantly due to restrictive laws affecting press freedoms.

Hong Kong fell into a similar category as China after its score declined.

Eleven countries scored below 25/100 on the Index: Egypt (170th), Nicaragua (172nd), Russia (171st), Turkmenistan (174th), Iran (176th), Afghanistan, Syria, and Vietnam.

China and North Korea remain at the bottom three positions on the Index again this year.

Eritrea ranks last at 180th place; it has become an information desert with long detentions without trial for journalists like Dawit Isaak.

These nations exhibit extreme censorship and violence against journalists while maintaining tight control over information dissemination.

Two regions stand out with high numbers of bright red countries: Eastern Europe-Central Asia and Middle East-North Africa face particularly difficult conditions for press freedom.

MENA remains ranked lowest globally while EEAC experienced significant drops in overall scores this year.
Only Moldova, Armenia, and Ukraine avoided critical levels on this pressing issue.