ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Press freedom has declined in regional countries such as Turkey, Iran, and Iraq, while the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria has been followed by a “momentum” in press freedom, according to the latest report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
RSF said on Thursday that its 25th World Press Freedom Index “highlights an alarming deterioration in the conditions for journalism in many parts of the world, despite some isolated improvements, as 100 out of 180 countries and territories have seen their press freedom score decline.”
Turkey dropped from 159th to 163rd place in the ranking.
“Authoritarianism is gaining ground in Türkiye and media pluralism is being called into question. All possible means are used to undermine critics,” the report said.
Press freedom in Turkey has continued to decline, with authorities increasing pressure on journalists through arrests, legal cases, and censorship, according to international watchdogs. Critics say these measures have further limited independent reporting and media pluralism, keeping Turkey among the lowest-ranked countries globally for press freedom. Ankara has consistently denied such allegations, insisting that there is no crackdown on journalism and that legal actions target criminal offenses rather than reporting.
RSF also reported a decline in press freedom in Iraq, where journalists face mounting risks amid political tensions and security challenges.
“Between political instability and financial pressure, journalists face threats from all sides and are up against the weakness of the state, which is failing in its duty to protect them,” the watchdog said under Iraq section.
Recent incidents have underscored these risks. American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped in Baghdad on March 31 by Iran-aligned militia groups before the US-Israel war with Iran reached a ceasefire. She was released shortly before the truce took effect.
Iran also saw further deterioration in press freedom.
“Iran remains one of the world’s most repressive countries in terms of press freedom. The regime has intensified its crackdown and media blackouts since 2022 in response to protests and the 2026 US-Israeli offensive,” RSF said.
Iran dropped from 176th place last year to 177th this year, remaining among the lowest-ranked countries globally.
‘Historic improvement’
RSF noted that some countries have seen “positive momentum,” citing Syria as a key example.
“Syria has risen from 177th place in 2025 to 141st in 2026 (+36) — a historic improvement one year after the fall of dictator Bashar al-Assad. While the press freedom situation in the country remains ‘very serious,’ the scores for all five indicators are improving, with a particularly marked improvement in the legal score,” the watchdog said.
Despite the improvement, concerns remain over the treatment of journalists under the new authorities in Damascus. The Islamist-led government has been accused of detaining several Kurdish journalists in recent months.
German journalist Eva Maria Michelmann and her Kurdish colleague, who were reportedly captured by Syrian state forces during a military campaign against Kurdish forces in northeast Syria in January, remain unaccounted for.
Michelmann’s disappearance has left her family in shock and enduring uncertainty, highlighting ongoing risks for journalists despite the reported gains in press freedom.
RSF said on Thursday that its 25th World Press Freedom Index “highlights an alarming deterioration in the conditions for journalism in many parts of the world, despite some isolated improvements, as 100 out of 180 countries and territories have seen their press freedom score decline.”
Turkey dropped from 159th to 163rd place in the ranking.
“Authoritarianism is gaining ground in Türkiye and media pluralism is being called into question. All possible means are used to undermine critics,” the report said.
Press freedom in Turkey has continued to decline, with authorities increasing pressure on journalists through arrests, legal cases, and censorship, according to international watchdogs. Critics say these measures have further limited independent reporting and media pluralism, keeping Turkey among the lowest-ranked countries globally for press freedom. Ankara has consistently denied such allegations, insisting that there is no crackdown on journalism and that legal actions target criminal offenses rather than reporting.
RSF also reported a decline in press freedom in Iraq, where journalists face mounting risks amid political tensions and security challenges.
“Between political instability and financial pressure, journalists face threats from all sides and are up against the weakness of the state, which is failing in its duty to protect them,” the watchdog said under Iraq section.
Recent incidents have underscored these risks. American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped in Baghdad on March 31 by Iran-aligned militia groups before the US-Israel war with Iran reached a ceasefire. She was released shortly before the truce took effect.
Iran also saw further deterioration in press freedom.
“Iran remains one of the world’s most repressive countries in terms of press freedom. The regime has intensified its crackdown and media blackouts since 2022 in response to protests and the 2026 US-Israeli offensive,” RSF said.
Iran dropped from 176th place last year to 177th this year, remaining among the lowest-ranked countries globally.
‘Historic improvement’
RSF noted that some countries have seen “positive momentum,” citing Syria as a key example.
“Syria has risen from 177th place in 2025 to 141st in 2026 (+36) — a historic improvement one year after the fall of dictator Bashar al-Assad. While the press freedom situation in the country remains ‘very serious,’ the scores for all five indicators are improving, with a particularly marked improvement in the legal score,” the watchdog said.
Despite the improvement, concerns remain over the treatment of journalists under the new authorities in Damascus. The Islamist-led government has been accused of detaining several Kurdish journalists in recent months.
German journalist Eva Maria Michelmann and her Kurdish colleague, who were reportedly captured by Syrian state forces during a military campaign against Kurdish forces in northeast Syria in January, remain unaccounted for.
Michelmann’s disappearance has left her family in shock and enduring uncertainty, highlighting ongoing risks for journalists despite the reported gains in press freedom.
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