Irish journalists have more press freedom and safer working conditions than American news professionals, according to three global indexes. The rankings emerged this spring, before US President Donald Trump’s latest tantrum to bar three media outlets from the White House.
The 25th World Press Freedom Index, produced by Reporters Without Boaders (RSF), ranked Ireland seventh among 180 nations with a score of 85.93. “The overall climate for press freedom in Ireland is positive, with journalists able to work freely and without interference,” RSF said in its April release. “Concerns remain, however, about the future funding of the media, including public service broadcaster RTÉ.”
The USA ranked 64th, with a score of 62.61. “After a century of gradual expansion of press rights in the United States, the country is experiencing a significant and prolonged decline in press freedom, with Donald Trump’s return to the presidency greatly exacerbating the situation,” RSF said.
The Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) has also detailed the erosion of press freedom in America. And the V-Dem Institute of Sweden in March ranked Ireland sixth highest on its democracy index, while the USA lagged behind at 51. The New York Times cited all three of these indexes in a Sept. 12 article on how the Trump administration has curtained press freedom in America.
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden (listed alphabetically) ranked ahead of Ireland in different orders in the RSF and V-Dem indexes. The United States lost ground in both indexes from the previous year.
“Irish journalists have reported that their safety has been threatened by criminal groups, but no significant cases have been reported in recent years,” RSF writes. “There are some concerns about attacks on journalists on social media.”
Citing FPF data, RSF said there were more than 170 attacks on journalists in the US during 2025, nearly double the previous year. Much of the violence against journalists came while covering protests and law enforcement activity.
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For an historical perspective about how the British trampled on Irish press freedom in the early 20th century, see my 2020 piece for The Irish Story: ‘Likely to cause disaffection to His Majesty’, the Seizure of Irish newspapers.