Ukraine ranked 62nd in the World Press Freedom Index compiled by the organization “Reporters Without Borders” (RSF). This is one position lower than last year’s ranking.
This is reported by Kyiv24
According to RSF, Ukraine’s media landscape is “diverse and stable.” Although some media outlets are still controlled by oligarchs, their influence has significantly diminished since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, with the state becoming a key player in the media field.
“Independent media are capable of providing reliable information and combating disinformation. The media sector bears the burden of the consequences of the Russian invasion, which disrupts editorial operations and even threatens their economic survival. Ukrainian media are silenced and replaced by Kremlin propaganda in Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia since 2014 and 2022.”
According to available data, access to objective information in Ukraine has become particularly important during the full-scale war. More than 90% of editorial offices, according to RSF, survived thanks to subsidies, mostly from the United States.
The organization emphasizes that the cessation of this assistance jeopardizes objective coverage of Russian war crimes and the fight against corruption, while the Kremlin has significant capabilities to spread its propaganda.
Impact of Economic Hardships on Ukrainian and Foreign Media
Financial problems also affect media that have been forced to leave Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. Due to a lack of funding and support from the United States, they are forced to make mass layoffs, further limiting access to independent information.
Reduction of Funding and Its Consequences
On March 14, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order that includes cuts to the operations of seven federal agencies, including the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which funds Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and other media organizations. In March 2025, USAGM decided to freeze a $75 million grant intended for funding Radio Liberty in 2025.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty challenged the legality of such actions in federal court in Washington. In April, Judge Royce Lambert issued a temporary restraining order requiring the return of funds mandated by law, amounting to $12 million, which were supposed to be allocated in April.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is an independent media corporation funded by the US Congress through the Agency for Global Media. Following the signing of the executive order to cut the agency’s operations, uncertainty arises regarding the future funding and operation of independent media in Ukraine and other countries.