Damascus, April 30 (SANA) Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has released its 2026 World Press Freedom Index, noting a significant improvement for Syria, which climbed 36 places to 141st position, up from 177th in the previous year.
The organization stated that Syria recorded its largest-ever rise in the rankings, attributing the improvement to developments following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s dictatorial regime in December 2024, which ended decades of strict restrictions and violent oppression on the press.
RSF indicated that Syria made progress across all five indicators measuring global press freedom, political, economic, legal, social, and security, highlighting in particular improvements in the legal framework, which it noted is declining in many countries in the region.
The organization explained that Syria’s political indicator rose to 103rd in 2026, compared to 170th in 2025. The economic indicator reached 107th, up from 179th; the legal indicator rose to 139th from 177th; the social indicator improved to 134th from 173rd; and the security indicator reached 154th, compared to 178th in the previous year.
RSF noted that Syria has not recorded any killings of journalists or media workers since the beginning of this year.
Media landscape
The organization stated that media outlets that had previously operated in exile or in areas outside regime control before December 8, 2014, have resumed work in Damascus, and that most international news agencies restarted operations in the Syrian capital shortly after the fall of the ousted regime.
Political context
RSF said that for five decades, the Assad dictatorship and the Ba’ath Party maintained strict control over the press. During the 2011 uprising, it added, the crackdown led to the silencing of journalism in many areas through arrests and assassinations. It noted that following the political transition, the new authorities pledged to work toward establishing a framework for an independent press.
Legal framework
The organization stated that the previous legislative framework used to justify media restrictions is no longer in force following the political transition. It added that past practices included arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, torture, and extrajudicial killings of journalists.
RSF noted that the new authorities have pledged to support a “free press” and guarantee “freedom of expression,” while journalists and media organizations continue to call for a new constitution that ensures the right to access information.
Economic context
The organization pointed out that under criminal Assad regime, most Syrian media outlets were funded by the state or individuals close to the authorities, and that some outlets have since ceased operations permanently or temporarily. It added that the restructuring of the media economy has yet to take clear shape.
Sociocultural context
RSF explained that Syria’s media sector continues to be affected by social polarization resulting from years of conflict. It noted that journalists who opposed the ousted regime and worked in northern regions—often relying on social media as an alternative platform—are now operating from Damascus.
It added that the repositioning of these journalists during the transitional phase presents professional challenges, particularly in maintaining independence and critical distance within the evolving media environment.
Security context
RSF indicated that repression practiced by the ousted regime against journalists—including arrests, kidnappings, torture, and assassinations—forced many into exile. It added that the current transitional phase has brought a period of relative security.
Global press freedom context
RSF stated: “For the first time in the history of our annual World Press Freedom Index, more than half the world’s countries fall into the category where the situation is described as ‘difficult’ or ‘very serious.’ The average score of the countries included in the assessment has never been this low in the past 25 years.”
It added that since 2001, access to information has been increasingly restricted due to expanding legislation, with the legal indicator showing the sharpest decline this year, reflecting the growing criminalization of journalism.
The organization noted significant changes in the Americas, including the United States (ranked 64th) dropping seven places, as well as declines in countries such as Ecuador and Venezuela. It also referred to the impact of armed conflicts in countries including Iraq (162), Sudan (161), and Yemen (164).
RSF said that ongoing wars have had a major impact this year, particularly in Palestine (156), noting that the conflict has resulted in the deaths of more than 220 journalists in Gaza since October 2023, including at least 70 while on assignment.
The organization added that Norway has topped the global ranking for the tenth consecutive year, while Eritrea remains at the bottom of the index for the third consecutive year.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is a Paris-based international non-governmental organization founded in 1985 to defend press freedom and the right to information. It monitors violations, publishes the annual World Press Freedom Index covering 180 countries, and provides support and advocacy for journalists worldwide.
M.F / ABD
