Lorraine Williamson
Spain has moved up seven positions in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), climbing from 30th to 23rd place. This marks Spain’s best ranking to date in the Spain press freedom index, placing it within the top 15% of countries assessed globally.
The annual index, released on International Press Freedom Day (3 May), assesses the state of journalism in 180 countries and regions. RSF monitors indicators such as journalist safety, legal protections, media independence, and socio-cultural pressures.
The improvement is attributed largely to a calmer political climate in 2024. With fewer protests and elections than the previous year, journalists faced fewer risks on assignment. RSF also noted a 1.4% increase in journalist safety, a reduction in physical attacks, and fewer legal actions against reporters.
Spain among the top 20 for socio-cultural conditions
Spain now ranks 20th worldwide in the socio-cultural category, reflecting low levels of discrimination or pressure related to gender, religion, ethnicity or class. Journalists are generally able to cover a wide range of topics without censorship or interference.
This favourable working environment allows for greater editorial independence and freedom of expression. RSF highlights that taboo subjects are relatively rare in the Spanish media landscape.
Ongoing economic and legal obstacles
Despite the upward trend, RSF warns that journalism in Spain still faces structural challenges. The media landscape is heavily dominated by a few large corporations. Many journalists work under precarious contracts, leaving them vulnerable to external pressures and self-censorship.
Legally, progress has stalled on dismantling restrictive provisions of the controversial Ley Mordaza (Gag Law). Introduced in 2015, this law has been widely criticised for limiting freedom of expression and the right to protest. RSF and other human rights groups have called for its reform or repeal, noting its lingering effects on press freedom.
Trust in Spanish media hits new low
Spain’s position in a global context
Norway, Estonia and the Netherlands top the 2025 global press freedom list. At the bottom are China (178th), North Korea (179th), and Eritrea (180th), where journalism remains severely restricted.
While Spain’s improved standing reflects a positive trajectory, RSF stresses that economic uncertainty and slow legal reform continue to threaten full media freedom. Continued support for journalist protections and industry reform will be key to maintaining progress.
Press freedom in Spain is slightly better than in Bhutan and Guyana