Ukraine Ranks 62nd in Press Freedom, Far Ahead of Russia at 171st

The global state of press freedom has officially fallen into the “difficult situation” category for the first time in the history of the World Press Freedom Index, according to the 2025 edition released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

In a stark warning, RSF highlights that over half of the 180 countries evaluated now face difficult or very serious conditions for journalism. The report cites growing economic pressure as a central factor undermining independent media worldwide.

Ukraine is ranked 62nd in the new edition of the Index—just ahead of Brazil, Japan, and Hungary. Despite dropping one position since last year, Ukraine remains in the middle tier, reflecting relative resilience amid challenging wartime conditions.

Meanwhile, Russia continues its downward slide in the rankings and is now placed at 171st, close to the bottom of the list. It joins countries like Iran, China, and North Korea, where press freedom is labeled “very serious.”

The top positions in the 2025 ranking are dominated by Northern European nations. Norway retains first place, followed by Estonia, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Finland. These countries are recognized for stable legal frameworks and strong protections for journalists.

“Guaranteeing freedom, independence and plurality in today’s media landscape requires stable and transparent financial conditions. Without economic independence, there can be no free press,” said Anne Bocandé, RSF Editorial Director.

“When journalists are impoverished, they no longer have the means to resist the enemies of the press — those who champion disinformation and propaganda. The media’s financial independence is a necessary condition for ensuring free, trustworthy information that serves the public interest,” Bocandé said.

This year’s RSF report emphasizes that declining financial sustainability is pushing many media outlets into a race for audience attention at the expense of quality reporting. The report warns that weakened newsrooms are more vulnerable to capture by state and business interests.

With fewer than one in four countries offering “satisfactory” conditions for journalism, RSF is calling for urgent and systemic solutions to restore financial independence and protect the integrity of the media.

Previously, it was reported that since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, 201 Ukrainian artists and 103 media workers have been killed, according to Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications.