Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus ranked 80th out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index published on Thursday by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The country scored 56.9 out of 100 and remained the second-lowest ranked European Union member state.
Ranking and scores
RSF said Cyprus was ranked ahead only of Greece among EU member states and recorded a total score just above the global average. In the Europe-Balkans region, Cyprus registered the sharpest decline in its political score and the weakest legal score, according to the report.
RSF assessment of press freedom conditions
RSF Prague bureau director Pavol Szalai said Cyprus “continues in the decline that started in 2022 and accelerated in 2024,” citing a fall from 26th place in 2021 to 65th in 2022 and 77th last year. The report linked the scores to restrictions affecting journalists’ ability to work without interference, access information and protect their sources.
Proposed legislation and access to information
Szalai highlighted proposed legislation that would allow a prosecutor appointed by the president or the head of the intelligence service to lift the confidentiality of journalistic sources. He said confidentiality of sources is “a cornerstone of press freedom,” warning that such measures “would be very dangerous.”
RSF also raised concerns about a draft law criminalising the dissemination of so-called fake news, and what Szalai described as an increasing pattern of government officials refusing to answer questions from journalists.
Accreditation disputes and Drousiotis case
Szalai cited disputes over press accreditation during Cyprus’ EU council presidency, saying authorities required journalists to hold specific state-issued press cards while rejecting those from the Union of Journalists. He said these actions were “clearly undermining the right of journalists to access public information.”
The report also referenced the handling of allegations by investigative journalist Makarios Drousiotis, criticising authorities for failing to investigate claims of surveillance and hacking of his devices.
What steps, if any, should Cyprus take to strengthen protections for journalistic sources and access to information?