Paris, (EFE).- Press freedom around the world has reached its lowest level in over two decades, according to a report released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which blames rising authoritarianism and a global economic crisis for worsening conditions in newsrooms across the Americas and beyond.
The Americas reflect a global trend: RSF says press freedom worldwide has reached its lowest point since the organization began publishing its World Press Freedom Index in 2002.
Of the 28 countries in the region, 22 reported a worsening economic environment for the media.
“Many governments are weaponizing state advertising and cracking down on critical journalism,” said Elena G. Viscasillas, an RSF spokesperson, in an interview with EFE.
Sharp declines in Argentina, El Salvador, and Nicaragua
One of the steepest declines in the index comes from Argentina, where the istration of President Javier Milei has taken what RSF calls a “hostile stance” toward the press.
The country dropped to 87th place, falling 47 spots in two years.
“Milei has stigmatized journalists, dismantled public media, and used state advertising as a political tool,” said Viscasillas.
In El Salvador, which now ranks 135th, RSF points to “systematic attacks on independent media” under President Nayib Bukele’s istration.
Peru fell to 130th, hit by judicial harassment, disinformation campaigns, and increasing pressure on independent outlets.
Nicaragua, under the Ortega-Murillo regime, scored the worst result in the Americas at 172nd place, suring Cuba (165th), which climbed three positions.
RSF says Nicaragua has “eradicated independent media, stripped journalists of their citizenship, and forced hundreds into exile.”
In Haiti and Mexico, violence and economic fragility pose grave risks
In Haiti, which ranks 111th, gang violence and the collapse of state institutions have rendered journalism a “high-risk profession,” according to RSF.
Journalists operate in extreme insecurity and often without institutional or protection.
Mexico dropped three places to 124th, RSF notes a “growing fragility” in the country’s media ecosystem, citing targeted violence and declining financial stability.
Colombia, at 115th place, reflects what RSF calls an “ambivalent” governmental posture.
While President Gustavo Petro’s istration claims to a diverse media landscape, it has also engaged in open confrontation with major outlets, all while journalists continue to face threats to their safety.
Economic collapse and big tech dominate media markets
The broader decline in media freedom is compounded by a global economic collapse in journalism, RSF warns.
In the United States, ranked 57th after dropping two positions, local newsrooms are disappearing, and trust in traditional media is eroding.
“Many regions are becoming information deserts,” the report says, blaming part of the crisis on tech giants who dominate the advertising market.
In 2024, Google, Apple, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft together earned 247.3 billion in digital advertising revenue, a 14% increase from the previous year, drawing further resources away from traditional outlets.
RSF is calling for “economic regulation” of the media sector to ensure pluralism and editorial independence.
One of its key recommendations is the creation of a “democratic responsibility framework” for rs, encouraging them to prioritize ethical and reliable journalism over disinformation-prone platforms.
“Media companies are not like any other business. They serve the public interest and should be protected as such,” RSF states.
La Prensa honored by UNESCO amid ongoing repression
Despite the grim outlook, RSF and international institutions highlighted examples of resilience.
Nicaraguan newspaper La Prensa was awarded the 2024 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize for its continued work in exile after its editors were jailed and its assets seized.
“La Prensa has made courageous efforts to deliver truth to the people of Nicaragua,” said Yasuomi Sawa, head of the international jury. “Forced into exile, the paper continues to uphold the flame of press freedom.”
Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, emphasized the broader significance of the prize: “This award honors all journalists who keep us informed despite threats to their safety and freedom.”
Juan Lorenzo Holmann, general director of La Prensa, called the award “a profound honor” and a tribute to nearly a century of journalistic resistance. “We remain committed to brave, ethical, and truthful reporting,” he said.
While Brazil improved its ranking—climbing to 63rd place, up 47 spots from 2022—thanks to a policy shift under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, RSF warns that most of the continent remains at risk unless urgent economic and legal reforms are implemented.
“The journalism profession cannot survive in a vacuum of protection or under the weight of financial ruin,” said Viscasillas. “This is a pivotal moment for governments, platforms, and the public to act.” EFE
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