When we talk about the 10 countries terrible for journalism, we’re really shining a light on places where the basic right to seek, receive and share news – enshrined in Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights – is trampled underfoot. Across the globe, reporters find themselves tangled in legal thickets, forced into self‑censorship, or even behind bars simply for doing their job.
Why These 10 Countries Terrible for Press Freedom Matter
Each nation on this list showcases a distinct brand of repression, from overt jail terms to invisible digital surveillance. Their stories serve as a stark reminder that a free press is not a given, but a hard‑won privilege that can disappear overnight.
10 Saudi Arabia
Journalism in Saudi Arabia has never been a free‑wheeling profession, but the climate grew dramatically harsher after Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman took the reins in 2017. Since that year, the tally of journalists behind bars has tripled, as the Crown Prince’s administration tightened its grip on every facet of the media landscape. State‑run outlets are nudged toward self‑censorship, while private outlets endure constant scrutiny from the Ministry of Information.
Going against the regime can manifest in two ways: openly challenging policies and actions, or merely staying neutral and refusing to praise the government – both of which raise red flags. Laws are crafted so that any reporting deemed “dangerous to the regime” can lead to suspension or, more often, imprisonment. The most high‑profile case is the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, allegedly ordered by the Crown Prince. As of 2023, 24 journalists remain detained in Saudi Arabia.
9 Bahrain
Bahrain, a tiny nation of roughly 1.45 million residents, is ruled by a royal family that shows no hesitation in arresting journalists. The government silences dissent by shutting down political parties and human‑rights defenders, ensuring no critical voice survives for long.
Since 2017, after the last independent newspaper was forced to close, the Ministry of Informational Affairs has taken over the entire media apparatus, limiting the country to radio stations and TV channels. While six semi‑governmental dailies still exist, they operate under tight control. The crackdown intensified after the 2011 pro‑democracy protests, turning the press into a mouthpiece for the royal family. As of 2023, ten journalists are detained in Bahrain.
8 Cuba
Cuba ranks among the worst in South America for press freedom, bearing a legacy of revolutions, dictatorships and chronic crises. Though the 21st century saw some loosening of economic policies, the island’s media landscape remains tightly controlled.
Virtually every outlet – newspapers, radio, television – is state‑run. Independent journalists exist in name only, operating under heavy monitoring that dates back to Fidel Castro’s rule in 1959. Even the internet is filtered. The nation now endures its toughest economic crisis in three decades, prompting protests and attempts to flee, yet the flow of information out of Cuba stays severely bottlenecked.
7 Myanmar
On February 1 2021, Myanmar’s elected government was toppled by a military coup, plunging the country into a darker era for press freedom. Prior to the coup, the nation already struggled with limited freedoms, but the junta’s takeover obliterated any remaining progress.
The military regime swiftly banned numerous media outlets, replacing them with state‑controlled propaganda. The State Administration Council now curtails any reporting on the country’s human‑rights abuses, terrorizing both citizens and the global audience. Myanmar currently counts 69 detained journalists, plus one media worker, making it one of the most repressive environments for reporters.
6 Eritrea
Eritrea, a fledgling nation that gained independence in 1993, has rapidly become one of the world’s poorest states and a top offender on the Reporters Without Borders censorship index.
Since September 2001, the authoritarian regime has outlawed independent media, replacing it with state‑run news agencies. Reports suggest 11 journalists have been imprisoned for over twenty years, alongside four other media workers. The government also monitors internet cafés, forces ID checks, blocks social‑media apps and bans any creative output that isn’t sanctioned. Eritrea’s censorship reaches far beyond news, permeating every facet of public expression.
5 Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan, an Asian nation that declared independence from the USSR in 1991, is infamous for its oppressive authoritarian rule and abysmal civil‑rights record.
The government monopolizes television, radio, newspapers and the internet, making any foreign media access via VPN a punishable offense. While only one journalist is officially listed as detained, countless others have either fled or faced far grimmer fates. Independent outlets operate from abroad with limited reach, underscoring the country’s hermetic media environment.
4 Iran
Iran’s theocratic authoritarian regime has long imposed repressive policies that align tightly with a stringent interpretation of Islamic law. The 2022 death of Jina Masha Amini at the hands of the “morality police” sparked massive protests, highlighting the regime’s willingness to violently enforce dress codes and other social norms.
The government maintains tight control over every media outlet, making independent journalism a dangerous pursuit. While official figures list 21 detained journalists as of 2023, many more likely remain unaccounted for due to the wave of arrests following the protests. Iran’s hostile stance toward free reporting continues to stifle dissent.
3 Vietnam
Vietnam holds the dubious title of the world’s third‑largest jailor of journalists. The Communist Party’s monopoly extends to politics, daily life, and the press, leaving independent reporting virtually impossible.
The regime employs a cyber‑unit dubbed Force‑47, composed of about 10,000 “cyber‑soldiers” tasked with hunting down online dissent. While the state does not own every outlet outright, it is the majority shareholder, ensuring that media entities self‑censor to avoid punishment. Topics such as government legitimacy, corruption, LGBT rights, environmental issues and ties to China are all heavily censored. As of 2023, 39 journalists are imprisoned, and the number is expected to climb.
2 China
China’s People’s Republic has long been a heavyweight in global censorship, and under President Xi Jinping the crackdown has intensified. Over 100 journalists are detained as of 2023, making China the world’s largest prison for reporters.
The state runs numerous propaganda‑backed media groups, guided daily by the Propaganda Department. Independent journalists who dare to criticize the Communist Party face surveillance, harassment, detention and even torture. Recent legislative moves aim to outlaw private investment in media companies, further silencing dissent. Although the constitution nominally guarantees freedom of speech, the CCP’s labyrinth of restrictive laws makes it easy to imprison anyone deemed a threat.
1 North Korea
North Korea unsurprisingly tops the list as the most repressive state for journalists. Ruled by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the nation’s media is a single‑mouthpiece operated by the Korean Central News Agency, delivering only the regime’s approved narratives.
The country’s isolation makes external reporting nearly impossible. The state showcases stories it wants the world to see—military parades, nuclear advancements—while suppressing any mention of crises such as the COVID‑19 pandemic, which it falsely reported as having zero cases. Though only one media worker and one journalist are officially imprisoned, the threat of capital punishment and pervasive surveillance deter any attempts at independent reporting.