Press freedom ranking: Germany no longer in the top 10

Germany has slipped to eleventh place in the press freedom rankings published annually by Reporters Without Borders, no longer among the top ten countries worldwide. Although the country continues to perform well in global comparison, there are visible challenges, the organization explains.

Many media professionals in this country operate in an increasingly hostile working environment – ​​especially journalists "who engage with right-wing extremist milieus and parties like the AfD." Reporters Without Borders documented and investigated a total of 89 violent attacks on media professionals and editorial offices in 2024 – the number more than doubled compared to 2023 (41).

According to the organization, the most dangerous place for German journalists in 2024 was not right-wing extremist demonstrations, but demonstrations in the Middle East – the organization recorded 38 physical attacks there. Most of these occurred in Berlin, where numerous pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel protests have taken place since the terrorist organization Hamas attacked Israel and the start of the Gaza War in 2023.

There were repeated outbreaks of violence, clashes with police, and even attacks on journalists. Two journalists who regularly covered the protests were repeatedly attacked, according to the Reporters Without Borders report. With 29 attacks, almost 40 percent of the physical assaults recorded across Germany were directed against them. One of them works as a reporter for "Bild," the other for the "Jewish Forum for Democracy and Against Antisemitism."

The Middle East conflict also played a role in the assessment of press freedom by the journalists surveyed by Reporters Without Borders in another context: Some complained about a "significantly narrowed range of opinions when working on Israel and Palestine." Reporters who wanted to "shed light on the nature of Israel's warfare, its impact on the Palestinian population, or the consequences of the war on the social climate in Germany" in particular reported extraordinary stress and pressure. Those reporting on Jewish life in Germany particularly reported "hostility and hate speech on the internet."

Danica Bensmail, Federal Director of the German Journalists' Union (dju) in the Verdi trade union, told the RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND): "The fact that Germany has fallen out of the top ten is an alarm signal – and the receipt for the fact that journalists in this country are not consistently protected." Anyone who reports on demonstrations risks insults, threats, and attacks. "When reporting becomes a test of courage, press freedom is in a bad state," said the union representative. Press freedom in Germany is under pressure not only on the streets but also in the everyday editorial work. "More and more journalists are reporting that they are being thwarted or legally intimidated by authorities and companies when conducting research," Bensmail said. Freelance journalists also have to contend with insecure contracts, a lack of support from publishers, and digital hate.

"The next federal government must not take press freedom for granted, but must actively defend it," Bensmail demanded. "We expect Friedrich Merz, as the designated Chancellor, and his appointed Minister of State for Culture, Wolfram Weimer, to better protect journalists – legally, economically, and through a clear commitment to free and independent reporting."

In international comparison, however, Germany still performs comparatively well, ranking eleventh. Worldwide, however, the situation of press freedom has continued to deteriorate. Ten years ago, the situation was considered "good" in 21 of 180 countries; this year, it has fallen to just seven countries – all of them European. The list is topped by Norway, Estonia, and the Netherlands.

The USA has fallen slightly to 57th place – due to US President Donald Trump's declared hostility towards the press, an even more significant decline could be threatened next year.

In half of the countries, the situation is even "difficult" or "very serious." These include Afghanistan and Russia, but also Israel, Serbia, and Georgia. In 2015, the rate was only around 36 percent. The situation is particularly bad in the Asia-Pacific region, but also in the Middle East and North Africa. Eritrea, North Korea, and China occupy the bottom of the rankings. Reporters Without Borders speaks of a historic low in press freedom worldwide.

The biggest decliner is Argentina, which slipped from 66th place to 87th under President Javier Milei. Mexico (124th place) remains the most dangerous country for journalists, according to Reporters Without Borders – nowhere else outside of war zones are so many journalists murdered.

According to the survey, the most dangerous region for media professionals is the Middle East and North Africa. No war is as dangerous for journalists as the one between Israel and Hamas: 200 of them were killed in Gaza in Israeli military attacks, almost 50 of them in the context of their work.

Not only political developments and security threats are making reporting increasingly difficult, but also the strained financial situation. Reporters Without Borders' overall assessment is based on individual ratings. Points are also awarded for the economic situation of the press in each country. Only in Norway is it rated "good," and in 169 countries it is rated at least "problematic."