Post-Assad Syria sees improvement in press freedoms amid worldwide decline

Creeping authoritarianism has seen the level of press freedoms decline across the world, according to Reporters Without Borders' annual press freedom index.

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab Staff

30 April, 2026

An Al Jazeera Arabic journalist broadcasts, while Syrians examine the aftermath of Israeli airstrikes that targeted missile and weapons depots at a former Syrian military base, which residents said was also used by Russia, on December 16, 2024

An Al Jazeera Arabic journalist broadcasts at the site of Israeli airstrikes at a former Syrian military base, on 16 December 2024. [Getty]

Syria saw the biggest improvements in press freedoms in the Middle East last year following the overthrow of the Assad regime, according to Reporters Without Borders' latest World Press Freedom index.

The press monitor publishes an annual index ranking 180 countries by the level of freedom afforded to journalists.

Countries are ranked according to a five-point scale ranging from 'good' to 'very serious'.

The country jumped 36 places to rank #141 in the world, with RSF noting an improvement in the country's treatment of journalists even amid continued instability in several areas of the country.

"Despite the considerable improvements in working conditions for journalist in most parts of the country, their freedom remains fragile due to ongoing political instability and mounting economic pressures," RSF said.

Lebanon also jumped 17 places to #115 despite Israel's increased targeting of journalists during its war with Hezbollah.

Qatar was the highest-placed Middle East country on the list at #75, with RSF saying covering domestic politics remains a "real challenge" despite serious progress made in recent years.

Middle East countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom index

#75 Qatar (+4)

#105 Morocco (+15)

#116 Lebanon (+17)

#116 Israel (-4)

#127 Oman (+7)

#136 Kuwait (-8)

#137 Tunisia (-8)

#138 Libya (-1)

#141 Syria (+36)

#142 Jordan (+5)

#145 Algeria (-19)

#156 Palestine (+7)

#158 UAE (+6)

#162 Iraq (-7)

#164 Yemen (-10)

#169 Egypt (+1)

#170 Bahrain (-13)

#176 Saudi Arabia (-14)

#177 Iran (-1)

Meanwhile Israel – which has killed some 220 journalists across the region since October 2023 - fell four places to #116.

This comes as global press freedoms fell to their lowest levels in 25 years.

In the 2026 rankings, press freedoms in more than half the world's countries have been categorised as 'difficult' or 'very serious' for the first time since the index was launched in 2002.

Just seven countries achieved a 'good' rating, with Norway, the Netherlands and Estonia named the three best countries for press freedoms.

The US fell seven places to #64 and was categorised 'problematic' as the country took an illiberal turn under the Trump administration.

The index "turns redder every year" as press freedoms continue to deteriorate, RSF said.

"Journalists are still being killed and imprisoned for their work, but the tactics undermining press freedom are evolving. Journalism is being asphyxiated by hostile political discourse towards reporters, weakened by a faltering media economy, and squeezed by laws being used as weapons against the press," it said.