Story perspectives

Qatar Leads Gulf, US Slides, Syria Jumps in Freedom Index

5/2/2026

Summary

**Reporters Without Borders Ranking**

Reporters Without Borders released the 2026 Press Freedom Index, ranking Qatar 75th, first in the Gulf and second in the Arab world.
Syria rose 36 spots to 141, the largest gain among all nations.
The United States dropped seven places to 64, a decline since 2022.
Over half of 180 countries were deemed “difficult” or “very serious” for journalism, a first in the index, while the legal indicator fell sharply.

Summary

**Hamza al-Mustafa Launches**

Minister Hamza al-Mustafa launched Syrian Media Code of Conduct on February 15, stressing accuracy.
Active outlets rose from 50 before December 2024 to over 500 by April 2026.
State broadcasters SANA, Al-Thawra al-Souria, al-Ikhbaria TV and Damascus Radio became public-service channels.
Licensing was simplified while a new media law is being drafted to replace Assad-era statutes.
Network for Human Rights logged 559 journalist deaths and 1,047 arrests from 2011-2024, but none in 2026.

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**Reporters Without Borders Ranking**

Reporters Without Borders released the 2026 Press Freedom Index, ranking Qatar 75th, first in the Gulf and second in the Arab world.
Syria rose 36 spots to 141, the largest gain among all nations.
The United States dropped seven places to 64, a decline since 2022.
Over half of 180 countries were deemed “difficult” or “very serious” for journalism, a first in the index, while the legal indicator fell sharply.

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