Reporters Without Borders

International media freedom advocacy organization that produces the World Press Freedom Index and documents press freedom violations across Africa.

2026-05-032026-07-30

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

May 2026
5 MayJoy Online
Ghana has ascended to 39th place out of 180 countries in the 2026 Reporters Without Borders (RSF) World Press Freedom Index, registering a score of 72.20 – its strongest performance in five years. …
Ghana climbs in global press freedom rankings, ranks 39th worldwide
4 MayThe Ghanaian Times
… In a statement issued on May 3, the Association said Ghana moved from 52nd to 39th position globally and ranked 4th in Africa in the latest index published by Reporters Without Borders. …
GJA celebrates Ghana’s rise in global press freedom rankings
4 MayJoy Online
… In a statement to mark World Press Freedom Day, the non-profit organisation focused on media research, training, and advocacy in Ghana noted that Ghana moved up 13 places on the global index compiled by Reporters Without Borders, rising from 52nd position in 2025 to 39th in 2026. …
Ghana’s 2026 press freedom ranking positive but not impressive – MRi
3 MayJoy Online
… Central to the Association’s message was Ghana’s notable progress on the World Press Freedom Index, published by Reporters Without Borders. …
Ghana moves up global press freedom rankings as GJA marks World Press Freedom Day

World & Region

Morocco arrests dissident commentator Ali Lmrabet at airport

The News

Moroccan police arrested dissident commentator Ali Lmrabet at Tangier airport on Sunday for questioning over alleged dissemination of false information harming constitutional institutions, according to Reporters Without Borders. Lmrabet, who lives in Spain and holds French nationality, is a known critic of Morocco's political system and faces a preliminary investigation over complaints alleging slander and defamation.

14 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

Tuesday 14 July

Morocco arrests dissident commentator Ali Lmrabet at airport
Moroccan police arrested dissident commentator Ali Lmrabet at Tangier airport on Sunday for questioning over alleged dissemination of false information harming constitutional institutions, according to Reporters Without Borders. Lmrabet, who lives in Spain and holds French nationality, is a known critic of Morocco's political system and faces a preliminary investigation over complaints alleging slander and defamation.
14 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

Tuesday 16 June

Ghana's free speech and media freedoms: progress and emerging challenges
Ghana has developed one of Africa's most open communication environments since the 1992 Constitution, with citizens and journalists engaging freely on governance and public issues. However, new challenges including political polarization, misinformation, online harassment, digital surveillance, hate speech, economic pressures on journalism, and legal contestation of public expression have emerged in the digital age.
16 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 9 June

U.S. envoy urges protection of unpopular speech in Ghana
The U.S. Embassy Press Attaché Matthew Asada called for the protection of free speech at Ghana's World Press Freedom Day event, emphasizing that democratic societies must uphold expression even when opinions are unpopular. He cited Ghana's 39th position in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index and warned of emerging threats including disinformation and broadly defined "false news" laws, noting that Ghana recorded 14 arrests related to false news and offensive speech within less than 16 months.
9 June 2026 · Daily Guide →

Monday 8 June

GJA-Ashanti trains journalists in environmental reporting, safety
The Ashanti Regional Branch of the Ghana Journalists Association organised a capacity-building programme to strengthen journalists' competencies in environmental reporting and personal safety, with support from Reporters Without Borders (RSF Germany). The training, aligned with World Environment Day, aimed to equip journalists with skills to raise awareness about global warming, deforestation, and pollution while promoting sustainable development.
8 June 2026 · The Chronicle →

Sunday 7 June

Minister defends press freedom while pledging action against fake news
Communications Minister Samuel George said at the GJA World Press Freedom Day Honours Night that while a free press is fundamental to democratic governance, the state will act against fake news weaponised to destabilise the country. He emphasised that editorial independence must not shield deliberate falsehoods, and that the administration supports investigative journalism but is prepared to enforce legal order against systemic disinformation.
7 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Sunday 31 May

Ethiopia holds election as Tigray excluded from polls
Ethiopia's general election takes place on Monday as conflict prevents many people from voting, with the entire northern Tigray region excluded from the poll due to its recovery from a civil war that ended in 2022. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's Prosperity Party is expected to win, with the winning party needing at least 274 of 547 parliamentary seats to form the next government.
31 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 19 May

NDC must avoid weakening Mahama during succession planning
An opinion piece warns that the NDC risks eroding President Mahama's economic gains and policy achievements if the party does not manage the transition to a new 2028 presidential candidate thoughtfully, with multiple potential aspirants from different generations of party leadership already being considered.
19 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 8 May

Burkina Faso junta accused of secret detention under military conscription guise
Reporters Without Borders reports that Burkina Faso's military junta uses forced military conscription as a cover for secretly detaining and abusing dissidents, including investigative journalist Atiana Serge Oulon, who was seized from his home in June 2024 and whose location remains unknown to his family.
8 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 7 May

Ghana rises to 39th in press freedom ranking with score 72.20
Ghana ascended to 39th place out of 180 countries in the 2026 Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index with a score of 72.20, its strongest performance in five years, recovering from 52nd position in 2025. This advancement follows a five-year oscillation marked by earlier declines linked to economic strain and journalist safety concerns, before a recent rebound in 2026.
7 May 2026 · Daily Guide →
Burkina Faso junta secretly detains journalist, dozens others
Reporters Without Borders said Burkina Faso's military junta secretly held and abused investigative journalist Atiana Serge Oulon and up to 40 others in a makeshift detention facility in Ouagadougou, contradicting the government's claim that Oulon was conscripted into military service. The advocacy group said detainees reported abuse including sleeping on bare floors and being beaten by guards.
7 May 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

Tuesday 5 May

Ghana ranks 39th in global press freedom index, strongest in five years
Ghana has climbed to 39th place out of 180 countries in the 2026 Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index with a score of 72.20, marking its strongest performance in five years after rising 13 places from 52nd in 2025.
5 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 4 May

Ghana rises to 39th in global press freedom rankings
The Ghana Journalists Association has praised Ghana's improved performance in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, moving from 52nd to 39th position globally and ranking 4th in Africa. The GJA attributed the progress to sustained advocacy and cooperation among stakeholders, while noting more work remains on journalist safety, media sustainability and legal reforms.
4 May 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Ghana rises to 39th in 2026 World Press Freedom Index
Ghana moved up 13 places on the World Press Freedom Index, from 52nd in 2025 to 39th in 2026, and improved to sixth place in Africa. The Media Research Institute said the gains were "positive but not impressive," with the country's score improving from 67.13 to 72.20 points, though performance remained uneven across key indicators.
4 May 2026 · Joy Online →

Sunday 3 May

Ghana climbs to 39th on global press freedom index
Ghana has improved its standing on the World Press Freedom Index, moving from 52nd to 39th position globally and ranking 4th in Africa, the Ghana Journalists Association said on World Press Freedom Day. The GJA credited the progress to sustained advocacy and constructive engagement by journalists, editors, media owners, civil society and citizens.
3 May 2026 · Joy Online →