Iran

Iran ranks 176th out of 180 in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), scoring 16.22—classified as “very serious,” near the global bottom.

Three media workers were killed in 2025 per IFJ (among 128 global deaths), two targeted for their work. No confirmed killings in early 2026.

Repression remains severe: arbitrary arrests (at least 7 since December 2025), raids, torture in custody, heavy sentences, equipment seizures, and internet shutdowns during protests. Iran is among the worst for jailed journalist abuse (CPJ). State control, censorship, espionage charges, and total media suppression force self-censorship or exile, making it one of the world’s most repressive environments for independent journalism.