Palestine the world’s most dangerous place for journalists, RSF says

In response to Israel’s occupation of Gaza, Palestine has become the most dangerous state for journalists in the world, according to a media freedom watchdog. Numerous reporters are likely to have been killed specifically as a result of their work.

Reporters Without Borders released its World Press Freedom Index 2025 on Friday, reporting that nearly 200 journalists were killed by Israeli forces during the first 18 months of the conflict, with at least 42 of those killed while carrying out their duties.

The Paris-based organization, which is also known by its French acronym RSF, claimed that journalists in Gaza are trapped in the enclave and are without food and water.

Journalists are frequently harassed and attacked by Israeli and settlers in the West Bank, according to Repression, which grew even more so after the 7th of October, when impunity for crimes against journalists was a new law.

Hamas and the Islamic Jihad also hampered journalists’ careers, according to RSF, while a Palestinian Authority law restricts freedom of expression and press freedom, as stated in its report.

Palestine ranked 163rd in the most recent index for press freedom, down 6 places from 2024.

According to the report, 112 out of 180 jurisdictions saw a decline in press freedom, with the average global score dropping to a record low of 55 points.

The watchdog accuses US President Donald Trump of overseeing a “troubling decline in press freedom,” dropping two places to a record-breaking 57.

After campaigning repeatedly and denigrating the press against the media, President Donald Trump was elected to a second term, according to RSF.

His first moves in his second term, such as his decision to politicize the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), remove The Associated Press from the White House, or abolish the US Agency for Global Media, have threatened the nation’s news outlets and indicate that he intends to follow through with his threats, provoking a potential crisis in American journalism.

Reporters Without Borders points to growing restrictions on press freedom, media plurality, and editorial independence since the start of the conflict in Gaza, dropping Israel 11 places to 112th.

Only journalists who work for Channel 14 have been given access to interviews with the nation’s leader, who accuses the Israeli press of conspiring against him, according to the organization.

The Minister of Communication demanded in 2024 that the government boycott Haaretz, one of the few newspapers that attacked Netanyahu’s policies, including the Gaza massacre, a subject that was largely suppressed.

Eritrea placed just behind China and North Korea in the rankings.