Report Accuses Trump Administration of Eroding Press Freedom in the U.S.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has released a scathing report detailing a significant decline in press freedom within the United States during the Trump administration. The organization asserts that the former president’s actions and rhetoric have contributed to an increasingly hostile environment for journalists, leading to a lower ranking for the U.S. on the global press freedom index.
The report, titled with harsh language, paints a picture of an "alarming deterioration" in press freedom under Donald Trump’s leadership, suggesting it signifies an "authoritarian shift" in the American government. RSF’s analysis centers around what it perceives as Trump’s deliberate targeting of mainstream media outlets as a core element of his political strategy.
The report goes on to point out that Trump’s relationship with the press was, at best, contentious. While acknowledging that the administration faced considerable negative coverage – with one right-leaning analysis claiming 92% negative coverage from major networks like ABC, CBS, and NBC – RSF argues that Trump’s response went beyond simply disagreeing with critical reporting.
RSF alleges that Trump actively "weaponized institutions" to undermine the press, cut financial support for independent media outlets, and systematically marginalized journalists. This combination of actions, the report contends, has created a climate of distrust and hostility, making it more difficult and dangerous for reporters to do their jobs.
Specifically, the report highlights Trump’s decision to terminate federal funding for the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), an organization that provides resources to vital international media outlets. This move, according to RSF, had a global impact, affecting both the operations of these media organizations and the audiences they serve.
The organization further accuses Trump of fostering an "open disdain for the media," which it claims has led to a surge in harassment, intimidation, and even assault against journalists while they are working. To support this claim, RSF cites data from the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, which indicates a significant increase in journalist arrests, from 15 in 2023 to 49 in 2024.
Beyond the direct attacks on journalists and media organizations, the report also raises concerns about the broader landscape of the American media ecosystem. RSF notes the decline of trust in the media, which it attributes, in part, to Trump’s constant attacks. At the same time, the report highlights the disappearance of local news outlets, leading to the creation of "news deserts" in vast areas of the country. This lack of local news coverage, RSF suggests, further undermines public discourse and accountability.
The report’s overall press freedom score for the U.S. places it on par with countries like Uruguay and Ghana, raising questions about the state of democratic institutions in America. The report goes into detail about some of the specifics of Trumps time in office regarding the Media industry.
The Trump administration, the report suggests, used a variety of tactics to silence or marginalize critical voices. This includes limiting access to press briefings, selectively leaking information to favored outlets, and using social media to directly attack individual journalists and media organizations.
The report makes sure to address the executive order to slash funding to public news providers such as PBS and NPR. According to the article, Trump described the organizations as “radical woke propaganda."
Reporters Without Borders argues that these actions have had a chilling effect on press freedom, creating an environment in which journalists are more likely to self-censor or avoid covering sensitive topics. This self-censorship, the report suggests, can have a detrimental impact on the public’s ability to access accurate and diverse information.
The report concludes with a call for the U.S. government to take concrete steps to protect and promote press freedom. This includes repealing laws that restrict journalists’ access to information, investigating attacks on journalists, and providing financial support to independent media outlets. The report also urges the public to support journalism by subscribing to newspapers, donating to non-profit news organizations, and engaging in respectful dialogue about the role of the media in a democratic society.
The article concludes with a simple and short note that the White House didn’t respond to the report’s accusations when Fox News Digital requested a comment.
