Lebanon records radical decline in press freedom index: Reporters Without Borders

Lebanon dropped 21 places from 2021 and currently ranks 130th in the 2022 RSF World Press Freedom Index report. 

Lebanon now ranks 4th among Arab countries in the MENA region, after both Qatar and Jordan improved to rank 119th and 120th, respectively. 

Tunisia still tops Arab countries, ranking 94th globally despite falling 21 places. 

The index is produced annually by the NGO Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and evaluates the level of freedom available to the media in 180 counties.

RSF said that Lebanon is in danger of sinking into a spiral of violence; online attacks and death threats against journalists are on the rise, and sometimes the threats become a reality.

“While journalists thought the October 2019 revolution brought an end to public figures who are untouchable by the media, political pressure is stronger than ever,” RSF added.