Reporters Without Borders (RSF) announced that Turkey ranked 159th out of 180 countries in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index. Turkey was listed among the countries where press freedom is in a “very grave” situation by RSF. RSF Turkey Representative Erol Önderoğlu drew attention to the one voice in the media and stated that economic pressures and arbitrary punishments threaten media freedom.
Turkey’s score in the report decreased compared to last year and dropped to 29.40. Especially political and economic indicators declined. While Turkey was ranked 99th in 2002, it dropped to 159th by 2025.
On a global scale, the media is also facing an economic crisis. According to RSF data, media organizations in 160 out of 180 countries are unable to achieve financial stability. Economic difficulties are causing news organizations to close and journalists to flee their countries.
“There can be no free press without economic independence,” said RSF’s Editorial Director Anne Bocandé, emphasizing the need to restructure the media economy. The concentration of media ownership around the world raises concerns about the diversity of expression and editorial independence. Countries such as Palestine, China, Eritrea and North Korea were also ranked in the “very grave” category.
02.05.2025
Journo