Global Press Freedom Faces Sharpest Decline in 50 Years - Beginner English

A new report shows that press freedom around the world has fallen to its lowest point in 50 years. The study, made by the International IDEA, looked at 174 countries. It found that in one-quarter of these nations, press freedom has become worse.

Countries such as Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, and Myanmar had the biggest drops. These places are affected by war, poverty, and unstable governments. South Korea also showed a large decline, with its former president attacking critical media and using lawsuits to silence journalists.

Other regions face different problems. In New Zealand, many news outlets closed, leaving fewer employers for journalists. In Gaza, nearly 200 journalists have been killed since 2023, and international reporters are blocked from entering freely. Al Jazeera has also been restricted by both Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Not all news is negative. Chile improved by protecting journalists with new laws. Botswana, South Africa, Jordan, and Poland also showed progress. But the United States reduced support for democracy abroad, raising concerns. The report warns that democracy is under pressure and needs reforms to ensure fairness and inclusion.