According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the state of press freedom worldwide has fallen to its lowest level in the past quarter century. Meanwhile, conditions for journalists in Iran have deteriorated alarmingly, with the country now ranked 177th in the global index. After dropping one place, Iran remains among the most dangerous environments for media activity. This structural decline reflects relentless pressure on those responsible for informing the public. International reports emphasize that only Eritrea, North Korea, and China rank worse than Iran in terms of press freedom conditions.
Iran: The Fourth Most Dangerous Environment for Journalists
According to the report published by Reporters Without Borders on April 30, the global average score for press freedom has reached its lowest point in the past 25 years. The index, published annually by RSF, evaluates countries in five key areas. These areas include economic, legal, security, political, and social criteria that determine journalists’ professional safety. The findings show that the legal indicator experienced the steepest decline during the past year. This reflects the increasing criminalization of media activities worldwide, particularly in Iran. At present, more than half of the countries in the world fall into the categories of “difficult” and “very serious.”
While Norway has remained at the top of the rankings for the 10th consecutive year, Iran struggles near the bottom. Only seven countries worldwide provide a favorable environment for media activity. Together, these countries account for just 1% of the global population. These alarming figures reflect the severe isolation of the free flow of information in societies dominated by authoritarian governments.
Legal Tools Used to Silence Critics
Reporters Without Borders warns that national security laws have become weapons against the press. Since 2001, the expansion of restrictive legal frameworks has weakened the right to access information even in democratic countries. In Iran, this trend has been pursued more aggressively, with journalists facing numerous security-related charges. The growing criminalization of journalism has made the information environment more restricted than ever before. According to available statistics, around 20% of the world’s population lived in favorable media environments in 2002. Today, that figure has fallen to less than 1%, amounting to a human catastrophe.
Wars are among the main factors behind the decline in press freedom and the increasing dangers facing journalists. In regions such as Gaza, Sudan, and Yemen, media workers face direct threats to their lives. The 2026 report notes that Iran has also regressed due to regional tensions and internal repression. Russia, ranked 172nd, remains one of the worst countries for freedom of expression. Meanwhile, Syria has climbed 36 places following political developments and now ranks 141st. However, for journalists working in Iran, there are no signs of improvement, and pressure has intensified.
The Need for International Action to End Impunity
By raising a serious question, Reporters Without Borders has challenged the future of freedom of expression. How long will the systematic obstruction of journalists’ work by authoritarian governments, and predatory actors continue to be tolerated? Currently, 52.2% of countries worldwide are classified as “difficult” or “very serious.” In contrast, in 2002, this category included only 13.7% of countries. To protect journalists, moral principles alone are no longer sufficient, and strong legal guarantees must be established. Ending the criminalization of journalism and repealing restrictive national security laws are the first steps toward changing this dire situation.
The situation of journalists in Iran has reached an unprecedented and critical point. Falling to rank 177 and standing alongside the world’s most closed regimes sends a clear message to the international community. Journalists in Iran face major risks, including imprisonment, threats, and social deprivation. The experience of the past 25 years has shown that silence in the face of repression only emboldens those responsible for it.
