The Philippines has slightly improved its standing in global press freedom rankings, moving up to 114th place in 2026 from 116th last year, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Despite the modest gain, RSF emphasized that the country remains in the lower half of 180 nations assessed and continues to be considered a high-risk environment for journalists. The Philippines posted a lower overall score of 46.97 this year, down from 49.57 in 2025, reflecting ongoing challe