The United States has dropped two more spots in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, now ranking 57th—below conflict-torn Sierra Leone. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), global press freedom is at its lowest point in history, with half the world’s countries deemed “bad environments” for journalism. Fewer than one-quarter of countries are considered to have a “satisfactory” environment. Despite online ad revenue reaching $247 billion in 2024, a significant portion went to tech giants like Facebook, Google, and Amazon.