The United States fell three spots in the latest edition of the World Press Freedom Index, marking the third straight year of decline.
Reporters Without Borders, a nonprofit that aims to hold governments around the world accountable for free speech restrictions, ranked America 48 out of 180 nations and territories, continuing a decline that began with President Trump’s election in 2016.
The group blames the Trump administration for the lowered ranking. In 2016, it ranked the U.S. 41 out of 180 — but put it at 49 in 2015, a lower ranking than any under Trump.
“[Trump] has declared the press an “enemy of the American people” in a series of verbal attacks toward journalists, attempted to block White House access to multiple media outlets, and routinely uses the term ‘fake news’ in retaliation for critical reporting. He has even called for revoking certain media outlets’ broadcasting licenses,” the group said.
“The violent anti-press rhetoric from the highest level of the U.S. government has been coupled with an increase in the number of press freedom violations at the local level as journalists run the risk of arrest for covering protests or simply attempting to ask public officials questions. Reporters have even been subject to physical assault while on the job. It appears the Trump effect has only amplified the disappointing press freedom climate that predated his presidency.”
Leading the ranking is Norway, with Finland, Sweden, Netherlands, and Denmark rounding out the top five. Vietnam, China, Eritrea, North Korea, and Turkmenistan are ranked the worst in the world for press freedom.
