- India slips in press freedom index, ranks 161 out of 180 nations
- In 2022, India was ranked at 150.
Comparison with neighbours:
- In comparison, Pakistan has fared better when it comes to media freedom as it was placed at 150.
- Sri Lanka also made significant improvement on the index, ranking 135th this year as against 146th in 2022.
Norway, Ireland and Denmark occupied the top three positions in press freedom, while Vietnam, China and North Korea constituted the bottom three.
Who release the report?
- Global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
- Reporters Without Borders (RSF) comes out with a global ranking of press freedom every year.
- RSF is an international NGO whose self-proclaimed aim is to defend and promote media freedom.
Headquarter: Pari.
It has consultative status with the United Nations.
Objective:
- The objective of the World Press Freedom Index is to compare the level of press freedom enjoyed by journalists and media in 180 countries and territories.
- Definition of freedom:
- RSF defines press freedom as the ability of journalists as individuals and collectives to select, produce, and disseminate news in the public interest independent of political, economic, legal, and social interference and in the absence of threats to their physical and mental safety.
SOURCE: THE HINDU, THE ECONOMIC TIMES, PIB