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Germany has lost its position in the top ten of the global press freedom ranking published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), sliding from 10th to 11th place in 2025. While the overall situation in Germany is still considered stable, the downgrade highlights rising concerns over the safety and independence of journalists, particularly those covering far-right groups and polarizing international topics.
According to RSF, the shift is less about a major deterioration within Germany itself and more about improved press conditions in other nations. However, the organization emphasizes that growing hostility toward journalists, especially from extremist political environments, is becoming an increasingly urgent issue.
Escalating Hostility Toward Journalists in Germany
RSF specifically points to the growing risks faced by reporters investigating or reporting on right-wing extremism and parties like the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). Journalists have reported being labeled as enemies, receiving threats and insults, and fearing physical attacks. This hostile climate has created a chilling effect on journalistic freedom and has been a key factor in Germany’s drop in the ranking.
The organization also notes that journalists covering the Middle East conflict are facing disproportionate editorial barriers. Numerous accounts describe significant obstacles in reporting on sensitive international issues, with concerns about access, editorial pressure, and safety risks shaping the working environment for newsrooms.
Global Decline in Press Freedom Hits Historic Low
The overall global picture painted by RSF is deeply concerning. The 2025 World Press Freedom Index marks the worst global conditions since the ranking’s inception. More than half of the world’s population now lives in countries where RSF classifies the press situation as “very serious.” In 90 out of 180 countries assessed, the media environment is described as either “difficult” or “very serious.”
Europe remains the region with the highest levels of press freedom. Only seven countries worldwide received a “good” rating this year, all of them European. Norway continues to lead the global index, followed by Estonia, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Outside Europe, New Zealand (ranked 16th) and Trinidad and Tobago (19th) hold the highest positions.
At the bottom of the list are countries where press freedom is severely repressed. Eritrea remains in last place at position 180, preceded by North Korea, China, and Syria. RSF highlights that in many of these nations, independent journalism is systematically silenced, and journalists face imprisonment, violence, or death.
Economic Pressure Threatens the Survival of Journalism
Another factor undermining press freedom worldwide is the financial state of journalism. RSF reports that media organizations in 160 countries are struggling to remain economically viable. This financial instability affects their ability to operate independently and hold those in power accountable.
RSF Managing Director Anja Osterhaus warns that “authoritarian leaders view independent journalism as a threat,” and the economic squeeze on media is part of a wider strategy to limit the flow of truthful information. She stresses that “when journalism is financially paralyzed, there is no one left to expose falsehoods, disinformation, and propaganda.”
The economic dimension of the press freedom index continues to receive the lowest scores across all evaluated categories, which include politics, law, economy, socio-cultural context, and security. RSF calls for stronger support for the financial foundation of journalism to preserve its watchdog function in democratic societies.
Global Trends Underscore Regional Disparities
The gap between Europe and the rest of the world continues to widen. In Latin America, several countries have seen severe declines. Argentina lost many ranking spots after dismantling a major state news agency. Mexico remains the deadliest country for journalists outside active war zones.
In the United States, RSF reports a growing anti-press climate, intensified by cuts in public media funding and increasing political polarization. This trend is also spilling into other regions, influencing policies that further erode press freedom globally.
Africa and Asia continue to struggle with severe economic and political constraints on journalism. The Middle East and North Africa are highlighted as the most dangerous regions for media professionals, particularly due to the high number of journalist deaths in Gaza resulting from Israeli military operations. Both Israel and the Palestinian territories dropped in this year’s ranking.
Germany Still a Key Player, But Facing Internal Challenges
While Germany remains a stronghold for press freedom compared to much of the world, its internal challenges should not be underestimated. The country’s drop to 11th place may appear minor in the context of global repression, but it serves as a warning sign. The environment for media professionals is becoming more complex, shaped by political polarization, international tensions, and the ongoing economic fragility of news outlets.
The decline also underlines the urgent need for stronger protective measures for journalists, more transparent policies around editorial independence, and sustained support for financially threatened media institutions.
As the global press freedom landscape continues to shift, Germany’s role as a model for democratic media standards will depend not only on maintaining a legal framework for freedom of the press but also on actively confronting the threats that challenge that freedom from within.
