Gaza: Palestine has become the world’s most dangerous region for journalists, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), as Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza continues to claim the lives of media workers.
In its World Press Freedom Index 2025, RSF reported that nearly 200 journalists have been killed since the conflict began, including at least 42 who were targeted while reporting. The situation in Gaza has become dire, with journalists trapped in the enclave facing extreme shortages of food, water, and shelter.
The West Bank is also experiencing heightened repression. RSF noted a sharp rise in arrests and violence against journalists by both Israeli forces and settlers since October 7, 2023. In addition, Hamas and Islamic Jihad have imposed restrictions on journalists suspected of collaborating with Israel, while the Palestinian Authority’s cybercrime law continues to limit press freedom.
Palestine has dropped six places in global press freedom rankings, now standing at 163rd out of 180 territories.
Globally, 112 countries recorded a decline in press freedom, with the average index score hitting a record low of 55 points. The United States dropped to 57 points, falling two spots in the ranking. RSF cited President Donald Trump’s second-term policies—including bans on critical media outlets and politicizing federal agencies—as contributing factors.
Israel dropped 11 spots to 112th, with RSF citing state favoritism toward pro-government media, attacks on critical outlets like Haaretz, and limited press access to Prime Minister Netanyahu.
RSF stated that such actions, combined with the targeting of journalists in conflict zones, signal a worsening global crisis for press freedom. Norway, Estonia, the Netherlands, and Sweden topped the index with the highest scores.
