The Netherlands has moved up one place to second in the annual world press freedom index compiled by Reporters Without Borders, even as the global picture reaches its worst point in the index’s 25-year history. Concerns over political polarisation and Dutch state surveillance remain an issue.

Norway remains in first place for the tenth year running. Estonia, which held second place last year, slipped to third. The Dutch score improved most on economic and legal indicators, with the index citing the country’s diverse media landscape and strong state protections.

For the first time since the index began in 2002, more than half of the 180 countries surveyed fall into the “difficult” or “very serious” categories.

The United States dropped seven places to 64th, which the report attributes to the press policies of the Trump administration. Eritrea remains bottom, while post-Assad Syria recorded the biggest rise of any country, climbing 36 places.

Polarisation and state surveillance

The report flags two specific concerns about the Netherlands. Extreme-right and far-left populist parties regularly attack the media, it says, and growing polarisation over migration and farming has driven an increase in physical and verbal attacks on journalists.

It also warns of a risk to the confidentiality of journalistic sources because of the powers of the Dutch intelligence services to read communications and tap phone calls – a concern given fresh weight by a court ruling earlier this year that found the wiretapping of two journalists had been lawful.

The Netherlands ranked third in 2025 and as low as 28th in 2022.