Fri May 02 05:50:29 UTC 2025: ## Gaza War Makes Palestine Most Dangerous Place for Journalists, US Press Freedom Plummets: RSF Report

**PARIS** – Reporters Without Borders (RSF) released its 2025 World Press Freedom Index Friday, revealing a global decline in press freedom and highlighting alarming situations in Palestine and the United States.

The report names Palestine as the world’s most dangerous place for journalists, citing the devastating impact of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. RSF estimates that Israeli forces killed nearly 200 journalists in the first 18 months of the war, with at least 42 deaths directly linked to their journalistic work. Journalists in Gaza are described as trapped, lacking basic necessities, while those in the West Bank face harassment and arrest. Restrictions imposed by Hamas and Islamic Jihad further complicate the situation. Palestine’s ranking plummeted six places to 163rd.

The United States also saw a significant decline, falling two places to a record low of 57th. RSF directly attributes this deterioration to President Donald Trump’s actions during his second term, accusing him of waging a campaign of denigration against the press and threatening to weaponize the government against media outlets. The report cites examples such as attempts to politicize the FCC, banning the Associated Press from the White House, and dismantling the US Agency for Global Media as evidence of this attack on press freedom.

Israel’s ranking also fell significantly, dropping 11 places to 112th due to increasing restrictions on press freedom, media plurality, and editorial independence, particularly since the start of the Gaza war. The report notes that Prime Minister Netanyahu has largely limited interviews to journalists from a single, pro-government outlet.

Globally, the average press freedom score reached a record low of 55 points, with 112 of 180 jurisdictions experiencing declines. Norway maintained its top ranking, while Eritrea placed last, trailing North Korea and China. The report paints a grim picture of the shrinking space for journalists worldwide, particularly in conflict zones and under increasingly authoritarian regimes.

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