TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan ranks 24th out of 180 countries in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, surpassing France (ranked 25th), according to Reporters Without Borders (無國界記者組織). The announcement on Friday (May 2) comes just before World Press Freedom Day, highlighting Taiwan's continued position as a "satisfactory" media environment in the Asia-Pacific region.
In the Asia-Pacific region, New Zealand is 16th, followed by Taiwan (24th) and Australia (29th). The report paints a stark contrast with Hong Kong, which fell to 140th place, dropping five positions from last year and joining mainland China in the worst "very serious" category for the first time.
RSF cited Hong Kong's crackdown on press freedom, which has led to newsroom closures and journalists fleeing into exile. Pro-government media in Hong Kong now receive the majority of official media funding, further compromising independent journalism in the territory.
The United States dropped two positions to 57th place, with RSF specifically noting the increasingly hostile operating environment for American news organizations. Meanwhile, mainland China continues to rank near the bottom at 178th, confirming its status as one of the world's most restrictive media environments.
The annual index serves as a crucial barometer for press freedom worldwide, with Taiwan's position reflecting its relatively strong commitment to journalistic independence compared to many of its regional neighbors. ★
