Press freedom declines in Americas, with US seeing sharpest drop: Report
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
Press freedom in the Americas, including the US, has reached its lowest point in six years.
How This Affects You
A decline in press freedom can limit access to unbiased information, potentially affecting your ability to make informed decisions.
AI Summary
A new report indicates that press freedom in the Americas has reached its lowest point in six years. The index, which began recording results six years ago, highlights a significant decline across the region. The United States experienced the sharpest drop in press freedom among American nations. This trend raises concerns about the state of journalism and access to information throughout the continent. Further analysis of the report's methodology and specific country data will be crucial for understanding the implications of this decline.
What's Being Done
Still monitoring this story for developments.
This article is part of a story we're tracking:
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
Civil RightsHomicide charge dropped against Georgia teen after teacher’s prank death
<p>Jason Hughes died after falling and being struck by a car driven by a student who had just pranked the teacher</p><p>A <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/state-of-georgia">Georgia</a> prosecutor has decided to drop charges against a teenager who police say was driving the truck that struck and killed <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/09/georgia-teacher-killed-student-prank">a beloved high school teacher</a> when a prank turned deadly, the teen’s lawyer said. The victim’s family had urged authorities not to compound the tragedy by prosecuting the teen driver and his friends.</p><p>The 40-year-old teacher, Jason Hughes, died after slipping and falling into the street as the teens started to drive away after participating in a community tradition of pranking teachers by throwing toilet paper on to his front lawn.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/14/charges-dropped-georgia-teen-teacher-prank-death">Continue reading...</a>
Civil RightsNovelist Dinaw Mengestu on the battle for freedom of expression
As he takes on the presidency of PEN America, Dinaw Mengestu explains why defending a plurality of voices is crucial at a time of censorship and revisionism. He also discusses how the organisation is working to rebuild its credibility after criticism over its failure to condemn the war in Gaza in 2023. The award-winning author’s fourth novel, “Someone Like Us”, has just been published in France, and Mengestu tells us about the personal elements he has woven into this story of an Ethiopian-American grappling with his identity. We also discuss the immigrant experience in the United States and why notions of “us” and “them” remain such divisive forces in public debate.
PoliticsTrump backs Herrera for Texas House seat after Gonzales drops bid
President Trump endorsed Texas Republican Brandon Herrera in the race to replace outgoing Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) on Wednesday evening. Gonzales dropped out of the race under pressure from GOP leadership after it became public that he had an affair with a former staffer in his office, who later died by suicide. Herrera, the top…
Civil RightsCharges dropped against US teens whose teacher died during toilet paper prank
The teacher's family had asked for charges, including one of homicide, to be dropped "to prevent a separate tragedy from occuring" over the prank turned fatal.
Civil RightsJudge denies restraining order for conservative media figures who sought press passes - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiogFBVV95cUxQWGRKQTh6LURYX0J1THBsSFdpMURfNDMwaHB1NmdwVFh6M3FzRENPTENxOTlmNDZWRWwyd0RSLVA5Q09Fd3VoM01sTkpUcTZFa2F3SmswX0R3dF9jZkRqWk4tMVR1RlRqS296WmRRaGFTeFIzQkVOWVZEanhzLTBlM2RXaU9KWTZaV1RhQ0FGbEFpVko1VmpqSlZVNG5rQ2Ytc2c?oc=5" target="_blank">Judge denies restraining order for conservative media figures who sought press passes</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
Civil Rights‘Invasive’ AI-led mass surveillance in Africa violating freedoms, warn experts
<p>Countries across the continent have spent more than $2bn on Chinese tracking technology that is not ‘necessary or proportionate’, new report finds</p><p>The rapid expansion of AI-powered mass-surveillance systems across Africa is violating citizens’ right to privacy and having a chilling effect on society, according to experts on human rights and emerging technologies.</p><p>At least $2bn (£1.5bn) has been spent by 11 African governments on Chinese-built surveillance technology that recognises faces and monitors movements, according to <a href="https://www.ids.ac.uk/publications/smart-city-surveillance-in-africa-mapping-chinese-ai-surveillance-across-11-countries">a new report</a> by the Institute of Development Studies, which warns that national security is being used to justify implementing these systems with little regulation.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/mar/12/invasive-ai-led-mass-surveillance-in-africa-violating-freedoms-warn-experts">Con...
They Didn’t Want to Have C-Sections. A Judge Would Decide How They Gave Birth.
The post They Didn’t Want to Have C-Sections. A Judge Would Decide How They Gave Birth. appeared first on ProPublica .
Did this story change how you see things?
Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
Lasers may be the next frontier for stopping Iran's cheap drones
Defense official reveals how AI chatbots could be used for targeting decisions
Rubio designates Afghanistan as ‘state sponsor of wrongful detention’
Senate Democrat calls for investigation into Texas drone incidents
WADA to weigh barring Trump, US officials from LA Olympics and possibly World Cup over unpaid dues - AP News
