Moldova rises four places in press freedom ranking: “We are on the right path”
The Republic of Moldova has improved its position to 31st place in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index. According to a report published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the country has advanced four places compared to the previous year, achieving a score of 74.77 points. This positive development occurs amid a concerning global context, where press freedom has reached its lowest level in the past 25 years.
Republic of Moldova: Regional leader in press freedom
The Republic of Moldova has achieved the best result in the region, outperforming Romania (49th), Ukraine (55th), Bulgaria (71st), Hungary (74th), Belarus (165th), and the Russian Federation (172nd).
Our country is classified in the second category—"satisfactory"—for press freedom, according to the five categories presented in the ranking.
“The media landscape in the Republic of Moldova is divided between pro-Russian and pro-Western factions. However, in recent years, the influence that oligarchs and political leaders have exerted over editorial policies has diminished,” states the RSF report.
In the report, the Republic of Moldova achieved its highest score in the "Social Indicator" category, ranking 18th out of 180 countries, while it received its lowest score in the "Security Indicator " category, ranking 50th.
"Of course, this is a positive result for the Republic of Moldova, especially when we consider the current situation in the region and around the world. It is essential to uphold professional standards, particularly given that the Republic of Moldova remains a poor country with a very small advertising market. Editorial independence often involves certain compromises that some colleagues may make in relation to their economic interests," commented Petru Macovei, executive director of the Independent Press Association, in an interview with Teleradio-Moldova.
President Maia Sandu commented on the new press Freedom Index, highlighting that Moldova has the highest score among EU candidate countries and is the only country in Eastern Europe with a satisfactory status.
"More work ahead, but we are on the right path", the head of state wrote on the X platform.
Moldova rises to 31st (+4) in @RSF_en’s 2026 Press Freedom Index — the highest score among EU candidate countries and the only country in Eastern Europe with a ‘satisfactory’ status. More work ahead, but we are on the right path.
— Maia Sandu (@sandumaiamd) April 30, 2026
At the beginning of the Parliament session on April 30, MP Marcela Adam highlighted that Moldova's rise to 31st place in the Press Freedom Index for 2026 is “a reason for pride.”
“The Republic of Moldova has moved up four positions to rank 31st in the Press Freedom Index for 2026, published this morning by Reporters Without Borders. On May 3, we will also celebrate World Press Freedom Day, a special occasion to acknowledge the fundamental principles of a free press and to remind ourselves of the importance of independent media in a democratic society,” said the Member of Parliament.
Marcela Adam expressed her gratitude to dedicated journalists, noting that the country's democratic future depends significantly on the courage, integrity, and resolve of media representatives who continue to voice their opinions despite facing challenges and intimidation.
Global trends
For the first time in the history of the Press Freedom Index, more than half of the world's countries are categorized as having "difficult" or "very serious" situations regarding press freedom. The global average score has reached its lowest point since the ranking began 25 years ago.
The legal indicator experienced its most significant decline over the past year, indicating that journalism is increasingly being criminalized worldwide. This trend includes restrictions related to national security policies, even in democratic countries.
The rankings for the countries with the best press freedom have remained unchanged over the years. Norway holds the top position for the tenth consecutive year, followed by the Netherlands, Estonia, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland.
Eritrea has ranked last for the third year in a row, while post-Assad Syria achieved the most remarkable improvement, rising 36 places in the ranking.
USA in decline – Trump as a risk factor for the press
The United States has fallen seven places in the rankings, now sitting at 64th. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), President Donald Trump has consistently attacked the press and journalists, turning these actions into a systematic policy.
This decline in legal protections for journalists is linked to an increase in abusive lawsuits, known as SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation), which are used to intimidate journalists.
This trend is evident in countries like Bulgaria, Guatemala, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand, but it also affects relatively well-ranked nations such as France, which is currently ranked 25th.
Journalists killed, detained, and missing
The situation for journalists in conflict zones remains dire. In 2026, 13 journalists were killed, 474 were detained, 21 were taken hostage, and 135 are considered missing.
The most hazardous regions for journalists remain Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
Countries like Russia, which is engaged in a war against Ukraine, and Iran occupy low positions in the rankings.
China ranks 178th, North Korea is at 179th, and Eritrea ranks last at 180th, where journalist Dawit Isaak has been imprisoned without trial for 25 years.
