New report: UNESCO warns of serious decline in freedom of expression and safety of journalists worldwide

Freedom of expression and information is not an option: it is the very condition for lasting peace. Faced with a historic regression, we must act together to protect and defend everyone's right to think, write and inform. UNESCO will continue leading global efforts to strengthen pluralism and ensure that diversity is not only protected but actively fostered.”

Khaled El-Enany, director-general, UNESCO

UNESCO’s World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development Report 2022-2025 reveals a 10% decline in freedom of expression worldwide since 2012 — a level not seen in decades. The report also sounds the alarm that in the same period self-censorship  increased significantly among journalists, rising 63%, at a rate of about 5% per year. 

Attacks against journalists are on the rise

During the reporting period (2022-2025), 186 journalists were killed while covering wars and conflict zones — a 67% increase compared to the previous period covered by the report (2018-2021). In 2025 alone, 93 journalists have been killed, of these 60 were killed in conflict zones.

Despite international commitments to end impunity for killing journalists, accountability is rare. While there has been modest progress — with impunity rates dropping from 95% in 2012 to 85% in 2024 — most perpetrators still go unpunished.

Today, journalists face a wide and growing range of attacks — physical, digital, legal and threats which force them to flee their homes — since 2018, more than 900 journalists in Latin America and the Caribbean have been forced into exile. Environmental reporters now face a heightened risk: UNESCO recorded 749 attacks on journalists covering environmental issues between 2009 and 2023, with a sharp rise in recent years. 

Online harassment against journalists — particularly that targeting women — has surged worldwide. New research carried out by the International Center for Journalists’ (ICFJ) for UN Women, in partnership with UNESCO revealed that 75% of women journalists and media workers experienced online violence while performing their jobs in 2025, up from 73% in 2020.

Positive trends

Despite the severity of the global decline in freedom of expression, meaningful progress is being made. Between 2020 and 2025, 1.5 billion people gained access to social media and messaging platforms, expanding opportunities for civic participation worldwide.

Collaborative investigative journalism has gained momentum during this period — leading to an increase in important cross-border investigations. Fact-checking units are growing at many media organizations.

And laws recognizing community media are increasing globally, helping to safeguard a vital source of trusted local information.

Solutions

The report presents an alarming picture, but it also sets out practical solutions which Member States can implement to help push back the tide.

1. Member States are urged to protect and invest in journalism in order to promote peaceful societies. Defending free, independent journalism must be recognized as a priority.
2. Transparency in the Digital Sphere: In a globalized, online information environment, UNESCO advocates cooperation among all actors to ensure transparent access to information, foster accountability and empower users to make informed choices. In 2023, UNESCO released its Global Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms, shaped by contributors in over 130 countries. It has since helped Member States reinforce their independent regulatory bodies to put them into practice in all regions of the world.
3. Media Information Literacy: Teaching citizens to critically engage with information and safely navigate social media platforms is essential to build greater trust in today’s information ecosystem. UNESCO has trained over 10,500 content creators from more than 150 countries to build audience trust and shape public opinion in an ethical way, and creating engaging content to promote media and information literacy.

The World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development Report is published by UNESCO every four years. The 2022-2025 edition “Journalism: Shaping a World at Peace” is based on the contributions, insights and data provided by over 100 experts in freedom of expression and media development, and derived from hundreds of academic and institutional sources. It is the only global report which analyses trends in freedom of expression and journalism over a multi-year period. Most of the data was gathered between January 2022-December 2025.

About UNESCO:

With 194 Member States, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization contributes to peace and security by leading multilateral cooperation on education, science, culture, communication and information. Headquartered in Paris, UNESCO has offices in 54 countries and employs over 2300 people. UNESCO oversees more than 2000 World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks; networks of Creative, Learning, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities; and over 13 000 associated schools, university chairs, training and research institutions, with a global network of 200 National Commissions. Its Director-General is Khaled El-Enany.

“Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed” — UNESCO Constitution, 1945. 

More information: www.unesco.org