Story perspectives

RSF Blames Trump as Press Freedom Hits Historic Low.

5/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) identified President Donald Trump’s systematic attacks on journalists as a key driver of the global press-freedom decline.
RSF released its 2026 World Press Freedom Index, which recorded a historic low global average score.
The United States fell to 64th place, slipping from ‘fairly good’ to ‘problematic’ after journalist detentions and funding cuts.
Russia ranked 172nd, with 48 journalists jailed under anti-terrorism and extremism laws.

History

Historical Context

The 1971 Supreme Court ruling in New York Times Co. v. United States protected the Pentagon Papers’ publication, establishing a First-Amendment benchmark. Founded in 1985, Reporters Without Borders now monitors press freedom in 180 countries and has documented 48 journalists jailed in Russia under anti-terrorism laws. Today, U.S. officials cite the precedent as a guide amid renewed attacks on media independence.

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Story summary

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) identified President Donald Trump’s systematic attacks on journalists as a key driver of the global press-freedom decline.
RSF released its 2026 World Press Freedom Index, which recorded a historic low global average score.
The United States fell to 64th place, slipping from ‘fairly good’ to ‘problematic’ after journalist detentions and funding cuts.
Russia ranked 172nd, with 48 journalists jailed under anti-terrorism and extremism laws.

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