Cyprus declines in 2026 World Press Freedom Index

In the 2026 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Cyprus dropped three places to rank 80th out of 180 countries. With a score of 56.9 out of 100, it remains the second-lowest ranked European Union member state, surpassing only Greece, which holds the 86th position. The report highlights a significant decline in the country's political score, the steepest within the 40-country Europe-Balkans region. Furthermore, Cyprus holds the lowest score for legal protection in Europe, reflecting ongoing concerns regarding censorship, judicial sanctions, and limited access to information. Pavol Szalai, Director of the RSF Prague Bureau, noted that the country has been in a steady decline since 2022. Specific concerns include legislative proposals granting state officials the authority to lift the confidentiality of journalistic sources and a draft law aimed at criminalizing the dissemination of fake news. These measures are seen as significant threats to press freedom and the autonomy of media organizations.