Full Breakdown
Ukraine Surpasses United States in 2026 Press Freedom Index
5/1/2026, 4:01:12 PM
Ukraine’s Leap in Global Press Freedom Rankings
On 30 April 2026, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) released its annual Press Freedom Index showing Ukraine at 55th place—a rise of seven positions—overtaking the United States, which fell to 64th. Moldova also improved, climbing to 31st. Ukraine now ranks above Italy, Malta, Bulgaria, Hungary, Cyprus, Greece and Japan.
Background and Methodology of the Index
RSF scores countries on politics, economic context, sociocultural factors, legal framework and journalist safety. In 2026, press freedom deteriorated in 100 of 180 surveyed nations. The index categorises Ukraine as “problematic,” Moldova as “satisfactory,” and only seven countries achieved the “good” tier.
Key Actors and Their Positions
- Reporters Without Borders (RSF) – compiles the index and provides analysis.
- Ukrainian government – faces EU pressure to dismantle the wartime “TV Marathon” channel and adopt media-ownership reforms.
- European Union – urges legislation to curb vested-interest influence, ensure market competition and create an independent regulator.
- European Commission – acknowledges Ukraine’s progress toward EU democratic standards.
- President Maia Sandu (Moldova) – celebrated Moldova’s ranking on social media.
- U.S. context – RSF links the United States’ decline to policies associated with former President Donald Trump.
Data and Rankings
- Ukraine: 55th (+7)
- United States: 64th (-7)
- Moldova: 31st (+4)
- Ukraine outranks six EU members: Italy (56th), Malta (67th), Bulgaria (71st), Hungary (74th), Cyprus (80th), Greece (86th).
- Global decline: 100 of 180 countries worsened.
- U.S. journalist attacks doubled in 2025.
Why the Shift Matters
Ukraine’s ascent signals a “dynamic media sector” and investigative journalism that enhance political transparency. The improvement bolsters Kyiv’s alignment with EU democratic benchmarks, contrasting sharply with Belarus (165th), Azerbaijan (171st) and Russia (172nd), where anti-terrorism laws suppress reporting.
Official Statements & Responses
The EU publicly urged Kyiv to abolish the TV Marathon and to enact laws safeguarding media independence. The European Commission told the Kyiv Independent that “both Ukraine and Moldova made progress in the area of media freedom and these developments demonstrate both countries’ commitment to democratic values and underline their gradual alignment with European Union standards, which place a free and independent media at the core of the Copenhagen criteria.” RSF’s analysis attributes Ukraine’s rise to its “dynamic media sector and the investigative work carried out by Ukrainian outlets to strengthen transparency in the country’s political life.”
Criticism & Opposition
EU officials criticize the continued operation of the TV Marathon and allege crackdowns on opposition outlets and insufficient investigations of journalist murders. RSF also flags the EU’s European Media Freedom Act for “inconsistent application.” Regarding the United States, RSF notes that “the White House under President Donald Trump has ‘censored government data, attempted to dismantle U.S. public broadcasters, weaponized independent government agencies to punish media that criticize his actions, halted aid funding for media freedom internationally, sued disfavored outlets, and applied pressure to install cronies to lead others.’”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While RSF highlights Ukraine’s progress, the Ukrainian government has not issued a formal response to EU reform demands. No official U.S. comment addresses RSF’s allegations about press-freedom setbacks.
Verbatim Quotes
- “dynamic media sector and the investigative work carried out by Ukrainian outlets to strengthen transparency in the country's political life.” — Reporters Without Borders
- “In Belarus and Russia — which is the world’s second-largest prison for journalists and the largest for foreign reporters (all of whom are Ukrainian) — anti-terrorism and anti-extremism laws are regularly used to criminalize reporters’ work," RSF said.” — Reporters Without Borders
What’s Next
The EU is expected to monitor Ukraine’s legislative reforms on media ownership and regulator independence. Continued RSF assessments will track whether Ukraine can sustain its upward trajectory amid regional pressures and evolving global press-freedom dynamics.
