France, April 30 -- More than half of the nations fall into the "difficult" or "very serious" categories for the first time in the 25 years that the non-governmental organisation has been compiling its World Press Freedom Index.

"The average score for all countries and territories worldwide has never been so low," RSF said in a statement following the publication on Thursday of the 2026 index.

The watchdog defines press freedom as the ability of journalists to report and share news in the public interest independent of interference, and without threats to their safety.

"Although attacks on the right to information are more diverse and sophisticated, their perpetrators are now operating in plain sight," said RSF editorial director Anne ...