Uzbekistan Placed 148th in Global Press Freedom Index
Uzbekistan Maintains Press Freedom Ranking Amid Global Decline
Uzbekistan has retained its ranking of 148th out of 180 countries in the latest Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). This position marks consistency in Uzbekistan’s standing, as it held the same rank in the 2024 index.
The annual report, published just ahead of World Press Freedom Day, reveals a concerning trend: the global state of media freedom has been classified as "very serious" for the first time, a downgrade from the previous "problematic" designation. This alarming shift reflects widespread challenges to press freedom across nations.
RSF evaluates national press freedom through five critical indicators: political, economic, legal, social and cultural contexts, and security conditions. The overall average score across the 180 countries surveyed in 2025 was 54.7 out of 100, with economic indicators hitting a record low, falling to 44.1 from 46.4 the previous year.
Press Freedom in Central Asia
The situation of press freedom in Central Asia varies by country, with the following rankings:
- Kazakhstan: 141st (improving from 142nd)
- Kyrgyzstan: 144th (a significant drop from 120th)
- Uzbekistan: 148th (unchanged)
- Tajikistan: 153rd (better from 155th)
- Turkmenistan: 174th (showing a slight improvement from 175th)
RSF has highlighted a growing fragmentation in press freedom throughout Europe, with Eastern Europe and Central Asia facing the most significant declines globally. Despite the European Union and the Balkans performing relatively well overall, 28 out of 40 countries in this region reported worsening economic conditions compared to the previous year.
Out of all countries surveyed, 112 experienced declines in their press freedom scores. Notable mentions include the United States, which slipped two spots to 57th, Israel falling 11 places to 112th, and Russia dropping nine positions to 171st. Meanwhile, Ukraine and China also faced setbacks, landing at 61st and 178th, respectively.
The findings underscore urgent concerns regarding media freedom worldwide, with many nations continuing to grapple with restrictive environments that hinder journalistic expression and independence.
