Afghanistan Stuck Near Bottom of Global Press Freedom Index

DID Press: A new report by Reporters Without Borders shows that Afghanistan remains ranked 175th out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, underscoring the ongoing crisis facing independent media under Taliban rule.

According to the report, press freedom conditions in Afghanistan continue to be described as “critical,” with widespread restrictions on journalists, censorship practices, and mounting security pressures preventing any improvement in the country’s ranking.

The data also indicate a sharp long-term decline, with Afghanistan dropping 53 places over the past five years—a trend that has accelerated since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.

Observers cite the closure of independent media outlets, the exile of journalists, and targeted restrictions on women working in media as key consequences of the current environment.

International organizations warn that if the trend continues, prospects for freedom of expression and access to information in Afghanistan could deteriorate even further.