US Press Freedom Hits New Low as Campaign Calls Out Threats Near Mar-a-Lago

The United States has officially hit a new low in press freedom, falling from 57th to 64th place in the latest World Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on April 30. This plunge marks a dramatic decline from just over a decade ago when the US ranked 20th, underscoring a deepening crisis for journalists nationwide.

The decline reflects a growing hostile environment for reporters, who face physical attacks at protests, arbitrary detentions, and a shrinking media landscape due to budget cuts at key outlets like Voice of America and Radio Free Europe. These pressures have intensified under the shadow of Donald Trump’s presidency, whose relentless assaults on the press have normalized hostility toward journalists.

To highlight this alarming trend, RSF has launched a striking new campaign that puts the spotlight directly on the US. The centerpiece is a large billboard positioned near Mar-a-Lago, a symbolically charged location tied to Trump’s ongoing influence and alleged abuses of power. The campaign also includes a full-page ad in The New York Times, driving home the message that press freedom is under siege on American soil.

Erik Larsson, spokesperson for RSF Sweden, bluntly called out the situation: “The authoritarian disease continues to spread. Donald Trump’s attacks on journalists have escalated to absurd levels.” This campaign builds on RSF’s previous work in conflict zones but turns the lens inward, revealing that the US is now one of the most dangerous places for journalists to operate freely.

Beyond raising awareness, RSF is ramping up support for American journalists by providing protective gear, safety training, and legal aid to combat restrictions on press work. The campaign is supported by Pressbyrån, a Swedish press retailer that has championed press freedom initiatives in its home country and now helps amplify these efforts in the US.

This crisis of press freedom is not abstract. It strikes at the core of democracy and accountability, especially in a nation where a former president continues to wield outsized influence from Mar-a-Lago. The erosion of journalistic independence and safety threatens to silence the watchdogs who expose corruption, authoritarianism, and abuses of power.

As the US slides further down the press freedom rankings, this campaign serves as a stark warning: without a free and protected press, democracy itself is at risk. The time to confront and reverse this trend is now — before the disease of authoritarianism spreads any further.