World Press Freedom Day 2026 spotlights global decline in press freedom

Urgent update: The United States just dropped to its lowest ranking ever in the press freedom index—64th out of 180 countries. This weekend we are celebrating World Press Freedom day and the alarm bells are ringing. Journalists are being silenced. Press is under attack. It is a five alarm fire.

Day 521 of #GeorgiaProtests. Many attend a march in solidarity with independent Georgian media. Tomorrow's the World Press Freedom Day. Georgia's index has plummeted, unsurprisingly. Journalists work mostly pro bono (without income) and under huge risks. 📷 @rusudandjakeli.bsky.social

“Freedom of conscience, of education, of speech, of assembly are among the very fundamentals of democracy and all of them would be nullified should freedom of the press ever be successfully challenged.” ~President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Happy World Press Freedom Day! Image: UPI/Bettmann Archive.

Journalism is not a crime. Governments should take note. On World Press Freedom Day, we continue to fight all forms of repression of speech, in all media, around the globe. #WorldPressFreedomDay

It’s never been more important to stand up for press freedom in the United States. This World Press Freedom Day — and every day — Freedom of the Press Foundation is here to defend those rights. Watch @trevortimm.bsky.social to learn more about our work, and donate today: freedom.press/donate

A free press is the cornerstone of a democracy, and must be protected. To all those shining a light on necessary truths, we salute you 🫡 Happy World Press Freedom Day.

This World Press Freedom Day, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting journalists, defending independent media, and safeguarding the public’s right to reliable information.

Independent journalism is the backbone of our societies; journalists are its defenders. On World Press Freedom Day, we stand in solidarity with journalists and will continue to ensure they have what they need to fulfil their vital role in our democracies.

On this World Press Freedom Day, I’d like to remind you, that Mzia Amaglobeli a Georgian prominent journalist and media manager, founder of free media, is marking the day in prison. Poster captions: “Fight before its too late”, “Free Mzia, free political prisoners” 📸 @netgazeti.org

On World Press Freedom Day: Free speech and free press issues are usually framed around the rights of the speaker or newsroom. @davidakaye.bsky.social explains it's also about your right to know — and who is reshaping those rights (hint: Big Tech). ⬇️ Clip below ➡️ full video: bit.ly/dw-pressfreedom

On World Press Freedom Day we pay tribute to the courageous Palestinian journalists who have, for years, risked their lives to document Israel’s crimes against their people. We mourn all those murdered by the apartheid state. These heroes are the very best of us.

Amnesty International is defending journalists being imprisoned and prosecuted around the world for telling the truth. Donate today in honour of World Press Freedom Day, and have your gift matched 2X, up to $50,000. 🔗 amnesty.ca/freepress

An Urgent Note: It's World Press Freedom Day and the Alarm Bells are Ringing open.substack.com/pub/aaronpar...

3 May is World Press Freedom Day . Yet this year, the message is stark: according to the latest Reporters Without Borders report, global press freedom has fallen to its lowest level in over 25 years.

#Russia celebrating World Press Freedom Day by accusing everyone else of censorship is Olympic-level projection.