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The war-torn country has jumped more than 50 places in the ranking since the beginning of the war.
In times of severe national crisis, the flow of information can easily become restricted.
Yet, data tracking global freedoms reveals a surprising trend in for Ukraine, now in its fifth year of fighting against Russia’s invasion.
Press freedom in the war-torn country has improved considerably – and now Ukraine actually ranks higher than The Land of the Free.
Rising in the ranks
In the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, Ukraine has secured the 55th position among 180 evaluated nations, up seven spots from last year.
Strikingly, the country has ascended 50 spots since the dawn of the Russian military offensive.
The updated dataset places the country ahead of multiple global powers. It boasts a superior standing to G7 members like the United States (64), Japan (62), and Italy (56).
A resilient landscape
The global index grades nations based on five conditions. Pauline Maufrais, head of Ukraine projects at Reporters Without Borders (RSF), explained to the Ukrainian broadcaster Suspilne on April 30 that the nation saw growth in cultural, social, and political spheres.
Maufrais told Suspilne that “The media landscape in Ukraine is very resilient. Journalists here continue to investigate what is happening in the country and challenge those in power, and this leads to greater transparency.”
Progress stems from new media access measures. Key developments include a January 2026 decision letting journalists back into parliamentary committee meetings, alongside a WhatsApp chat connecting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and reporters.
Room for improvement
Despite positive strides, the overall situation requires serious work. Maufrais noted to Suspilne that the current state of media liberties remains “problematic” nationwide.
RSF is actively pushing to shut down the state-backed national telethon, stating it diminishes television variety. They also demand robust updates to transparency laws governing media ownership.
Frontline access stands as another significant hurdle. Maufrais pointed out recurring barriers in regions like Sumy and Kherson, “where some military personnel do not allow reporters through without explanations related to security.”
Sources: Suspilne, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Ukrinform, World Press Freedom Index
