Belarus ranks between Yemen and Myanmar in RSF Press Freedom Index

April 30, Pozirk. Belarus ranks 165th of 180 assessed countries and territories in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, compiled by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
The ranking placed Belarus between Yemen and Myanmar, stressing that the country abuses measures to protect national security to restrict media freedom, similar to Russia, Nicaragua and Egypt. Belarusian authorities regularly use anti-terrorism and anti-extremism laws to criminalize reporters’ work, the RSF noted.
Belarus ranked similarly last year, with the 166th position in the RSF Index.
The world’s 10 best countries for journalists are Norway, the Netherlands, Estonia, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Ireland, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Portugal.
Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkmenistan, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, China, North Korea, and Eritrea conclude the ranking with the worst press freedom score.
On the eve of May 3, World Press Freedom Day, at least 22 media workers are behind bars in Belarus, according to the Belarusian Association of Journalists.
UN rights committee urges Minsk to protect freedom of expression
- PoliticsReprisals: jailed media managers among dozens branded “extremists”The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Security, SocietyAir raid alert in Lithuania’s Vilnius county near Belarus borderThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja looking for ideas ahead of New Belarus ConferenceThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, PoliticsBelarus wood pellet industry in deep crisis following EU sanctions and failed evasion attempts, report saysThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, SocietyPole gets 30 months in prison for smuggling Belarusian cigarettesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityEnding Ukraine war hinges on several people, Łukašenka saysThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society, SportUkraine urges 30 international federations to maintain restrictions on Belarusian athletesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsHouse of Representatives approves ratification bill for agreement with Togo on visa-free travel for officialsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyBelarus to repair road at Bieniakoni checkpoint until July – border committeeThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- PoliticsLithuania's top diplomat pushes for EU sanctions on Łukašenka's regimeThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Economy, SocietyPoland cracks down on cigarette smuggling ring linked to BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka seeks expanded ties, visa facilitation with PhilippinesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsMinsk blames EU sanctions for irregular migration crisis since 2021The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- PoliticsReprisals: KGB intensifies raids on blacklisted university’s alumni and familiesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyŁukašenka allocates $1.2 million for restoring Orthodox monastery, $94,000 landmark Catholic churchThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyŁukašenka tells media newly appointed official to keep up propagandaThe material is available only to POZIRK+



