The World Press Freedom Index compares the level of freedom allowed to journalists in 180 countries and territories around the world. It serves as a tool to measure media independence from political, economic, and legal pressures, along with journalist safety while reporting worldwide.
As of the 2026 report, over half of the countries surveyed fall into the "difficult" or "very serious" categories, marking a 25-year low in global press freedom.
So, what are the 30 worst countries for journalists right now? Click on to find out.