Laws and legal possibilities are being used as weapons against journalists. Journalism is being criminalized, says Erik Larsson, spokesperson for RSF.
Over the 25 years that RSF has measured press freedom around the world, the average score has steadily deteriorated. Now, more than half of the world's countries are in the two lowest categories: "difficult" or "very difficult" situations.
According to Erik Larsson, it is the index's legal indicator that is falling the most.
US drops
The change is happening primarily in authoritarian states, where laws that are meant to combat terrorism or espionage are being used to silence journalists. But the trend is also seeping into democracies.
Press freedom is faltering in the United States. It has dropped seven places in the index and now ranks 64th. Erik Larsson points to President Donald Trump's rhetoric as an explanation.
Trump attacks the media on a daily basis. He wants to portray himself as an outsider. The media are supposed to represent the elite that stands between him and the people.
Swedish press freedom also falls slightly in the index. Sweden has dropped one place and is now fifth. Larsson is concerned about various laws that restrict journalists' opportunities to work, such as the ban on taking pictures of police stations and other sensitive sites.
He also describes a "hostile media effect." This means that the more radical people become, the more harshly the media is criticized.
At the bottom of the index is Eritrea for the third year in a row. The biggest decline was in Niger, which dropped 37 places.
Has looked worse
Despite the gloomy figures, there are countries that are climbing. Poland is cited as the prime example of a rapid turnaround.
Their previous government attacked and controlled the media. Now their new government has sought to restore what was lost. So they have climbed about 40 positions in just a few years and are now in 27th place, says Erik Larsson.
He also emphasizes that historically it has been worse. He draws parallels to 1941, when Europe seemed to be swallowed up by authoritarian power, only to have a completely changed situation just ten years later.
If you think it's over, then you will definitely lose. History has shown time and again that even in the darkest moments, there is a way forward.
The index is based on five indicators: economic, legal, security, political and social conditions for journalists.
First on the list:
1. Norway
2. Netherlands
3. Estonia
4. Denmark
5. Sweden
Last on the list:
176. Saudi Arabia
177. Iran
178. China
179. North Korea
180. Eritrea
The biggest decline occurred in Niger, which dropped 37 places to 120th place.
The country that has risen the most is Syria, which has climbed 36 places, from 177th place to 141st place.
Source: Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
