Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – According to Reporters Without Borders’ (RSF) 2025 World Press Freedom Index, press freedom has slightly declined in the Gambia. The nation’s ranking of 58th, which it held last year, reflects a drop from its 2023 ranking of 46th and its 2024 ranking of 5th in Africa. The Gambia scored 65.49 this year, which is a little lower than the 65.53 they received in 2024. Due to this change, The Gambia is now ranked 10th in Africa, down from 5th the year before.

This decline is reflected in several key indicators assessed by RSF, including political context, legal framework, and safety. Notably, The Gambia’s political indicator fell significantly from 57 in 2024 to 47 in 2025.

The Gambia Press Union (GPU) has identified “bad media laws” as a primary factor contributing to this regression. Despite a 2018 Supreme Court ruling that declared criminal penalties for defamation unconstitutional, many restrictive laws from the previous regime remain in effect.

These include legislation criminalizing libel, sedition, and the dissemination of “false news,” which continue to pose a significant threat to journalistic freedom.

Beyond legal challenges, journalists in The Gambia face economic pressures. While the number of media outlets has increased, these organizations grapple with financial instability due to the absence of government subsidies, high taxes, and the escalating costs of essential equipment like printing presses. Furthermore, delays in government payments for subscriptions and advertisements exacerbate the financial strain on media houses.

Although physical attacks on journalists have decreased since the end of Yahya Jammeh’s rule, intimidation and legal threats persist. Journalists frequently encounter harsh treatment or threats of legal action from security personnel or individuals with ties to the former regime. There remains a concerning lack of accountability for past attacks on journalists.

The sluggish implementation of the Access to Information law further compounds the challenges facing the press in The Gambia. These combined factors have contributed to the observed decline in the country’s press freedom ranking.

The Gambia’s decline in the World Press Freedom Index underscores the need for comprehensive reforms to protect and promote press freedom. Addressing outdated laws, improving the economic sustainability of media outlets, and ensuring the safety of journalists are critical steps toward reversing this trend.