The State of Qatar has improved for the third year in a row, moving up five spots in the RSF World Press Freedom Index 2025. Qatar now holds its highest-ever ranking of 79th in the world and tops the Middle East, which includes Israel, according to the RSF report that was made public yesterday.
One of the main reasons why the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is still the most dangerous for journalists worldwide is the Israeli army's destruction of media infrastructure in Gaza. All of the nations in the region—aside from Qatar—are categorized as having "difficult" or "very serious" press freedom conditions.
