Libya has ranked 138th out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, according to the latest report released by Reporters Without Borders on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day.
The annual report highlighted a continued global decline in press freedom, noting that conditions have reached their lowest level in 25 years. More than half of the world’s countries are now classified as having a “difficult” or “very serious” situation for journalists.
The organization warned of a sharp deterioration in the legal environment for media this year, citing the expansion of restrictive legislation and a growing trend toward criminalizing journalistic work. It also pointed to the increasing use of laws as tools to pressure and limit journalists.
Within the Arab region, Libya ranked ninth, ahead of countries such as Syria (141) and Jordan (142). Meanwhile, Mauritania led the Arab rankings at 61st place, followed by Qatar at 75th. At the lower end of the regional list, Saudi Arabia ranked 175th and the United Arab Emirates 178th.
Globally, Scandinavian countries maintained their dominance at the top of the index. Norway retained first place for the tenth consecutive year, followed by the Netherlands and Estonia. Eritrea remained at the bottom of the ranking in 180th position.
The report underscores ongoing concerns about media freedom worldwide, as journalists in many countries continue to face legal, political, and security challenges that hinder independent reporting.
