World Press Freedom Index is an annual report released by the international non-governmental organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on the status of press freedom in 180 countries. Its 2026 report, released on April 30, found that press freedom around the world is at a 25-year low.

Our guest today is Aleksandra Bielakowska, Advocacy Manager of RSF’s Asia-Pacific bureau and President of the RSF Taiwan Chapter. In this episode, we walk through the latest global findings, the reasons behind the decrease of press freedom in Asia, China’s growing media influence abroad, and the current threats to Taiwan’s media landscape. Key points: 

• World Press Freedom is at the lowest since RSF began tracking in 2002. This year, 94 countries (52.2%) are in a “difficult” or “very serious” situation 
• Across Asia, authoritarianism and repressive policies from democratic countries have fueled the declines of press freedom in places like Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Vietnam.
• China has increased its state-media presence across the world, and targeted foreign press agencies in countries like Denmark and the Philippines with harassment campaigns.
• Although Taiwan’s press freedom remains highly-ranked (28th), its score dropped by four places (from 24th), due to deepening political polarization, economic troubles, and ongoing Chinese disinformation

Learn more about Reporters Without Borders and explore their work on global press freedom, including their disinformation tracking initiative, “The Propaganda Monitor”. 

RSF’s photojournalist exhibition, “Shooting the World of Tomorrow”, is currently on display at the Alliance Française de Taïwan (台灣法國文化協會) until June 30. Address: 2F, No. 107, Section 4, Roosevelt Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City.

EPISODE CREDIT | Producer, Emily Y. Wu @emilyywu | Host, Zack Chiang | Audio Editing, Wayne Tsai | Research, Albert Chang-Yoo | Production Assistance, Teagan Wangaard

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