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2025 Press Freedom Index: Balkans Face Troubling Decline

5/4/2025

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Summary

Balkans Media Struggles

The 2025 Press Freedom Index paints a troubling picture for the Balkans, with Kosovo plummeting 24 spots to 99th place due to economic strain and political meddling that jeopardize independent journalism. Meanwhile, Albania, Montenegro, and Serbia experienced modest gains, underscoring a stark contrast in media freedom amid persistent obstacles.

Summary

Trump Undermines Press Freedom

Press freedom in the U.S. has plummeted to 57th in the world, according to a recent report by Reporters Without Borders. Under Donald Trump's leadership, media attacks, funding cuts, and rising hostility towards journalists have created "news deserts," leaving local journalism in peril and contributing to a broader crisis in global press freedom.

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Balkans Media Struggles

The 2025 Press Freedom Index paints a troubling picture for the Balkans, with Kosovo plummeting 24 spots to 99th place due to economic strain and political meddling that jeopardize independent journalism. Meanwhile, Albania, Montenegro, and Serbia experienced modest gains, underscoring a stark contrast in media freedom amid persistent obstacles.

1 / 2