Press Freedom Ranking Declines: Maldives Drops from 104th to 108th

The Maldives has been ranked 108th out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), marking a decline from last year’s position.

The latest ranking places Maldives four spots lower than in 2025, when it was ranked 104th. The country’s overall score also dropped to 49.23 points, down from 52.46 points recorded the previous year, indicating a deterioration in the conditions under which journalists operate.

Maldives continues to be classified under RSF’s “difficult” category, which includes countries where press freedom faces structural challenges. The index evaluates the state of journalism based on a range of indicators, including the political environment, legal framework, economic conditions, sociocultural context, and the safety of journalists.

The latest figures extend a downward trend in recent years. Maldives was ranked 87th in 2022 before falling to 100th in 2023 and 106th in 2024. Although the country saw a slight improvement to 104th in 2025, the 2026 results show a renewed decline both in ranking and score.

The World Press Freedom Index, published annually by RSF, assesses press freedom conditions in 180 countries and territories, with higher scores indicating a more favorable environment for journalism.