A new report from the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) has revealed a significant decline in press freedom worldwide over the past five years. According to the Stockholm-based think tank, press freedom has reached its lowest point in five decades, with more than half of all countries registering a drop in at least one key democratic indicator.

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A “Toxic Brew” of Government and Disinformation

The report identifies several factors contributing to this decline. IDEA Secretary-General Kevin Casas-Zamora points to a “toxic brew” of heavy-handed government interventions, often a legacy of pandemic-era policies, and the negative impact of disinformation. Governments are increasingly using the pretext of fighting disinformation to “clamp down on press freedoms.”

The Biggest Declines and Global Implications

The report highlights the biggest falls in press freedom in Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, and Myanmar. South Korea also saw a significant drop due to an increase in defamation cases against journalists. Casas-Zamora notes that this trend does not bode well for global democracy, especially with “disturbing” events happening in the United States that could have a global impact.