Libya has been ranked 138th out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), dropping one place from 137th in 2025.
The index gives each country a score from 0 to 100, with 100 being the best. Libya scored 40.34 overall, based on five indicators: political context (46.46), economic context (42.46), legal framework (46.32), social context (28.20), and the safety of journalists (38.25). Libya’s weakest areas were the social and security indicators.
The report explains how Libya reached this point. Under Muammar Gaddafi, press freedom was almost non-existent. Since his death in 2011, the country has been stuck in crisis and its media has suffered badly. Most media outlets and journalists have fled, and those who stayed work under the protection of one of the warring sides. Foreign journalists can no longer cover Libya, making the country an “information black hole.”
Despite the 2020 ceasefire, Libya remains split between rival governments in the east and west. Media outlets have taken sides, so journalists must follow the political line of their employers, which spreads disinformation. Young Libyans turn to social media instead, but it has become a space for hate speech and radicalization.
The legal situation makes things worse. No law guarantees freedom of expression, access to information, or journalists’ safety. Some press laws are more than 50 years old, and press offenses can lead to prison. The Anti-Cybercrime Law No. 5-2022 extended these restrictions to the internet, pushing journalists into heavy self-censorship.
Money is also a problem. Private media depend on advertising from businessmen tied to politicians, which weakens their independence. Journalists have no job security and can be fired at any time.
For years, journalists have faced threats, violence, and harassment, usually with total impunity, although the situation has improved somewhat since 2021. Armed factions linked to the authorities have spread fear among journalists and weakened media independence.
