WORLD PRESS FREEDOM INDEX – REPORTS AND INDICES
News: India
slips in World Press Freedom Index, ranks 161 out of 180 countries
What's in the news?
● India’s
ranking in the 2023 World Press Freedom Index has slipped to 161 out of 180 countries, according to
the latest report released by global
media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
● In
comparison, Pakistan has fared better
when it comes to media freedom as it was placed at 150, an improvement from
last year’s 157th rank. In 2022, India was ranked at 150.
Key takeaways:
● Norway, Ireland and
Denmark occupied the top three positions in press
freedom, while Vietnam, China and North Korea constituted the bottom three.
Reporters Without Borders:
● 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.
● Headquarters
- Paris.
● It
has consultative status with the United
Nations.
Objective of the World Press Freedom Index:
● To
compare the level of press freedom enjoyed by journalists and media in 180
countries and territories in the previous calendar year.
Press 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.”
Indicators:
Each
country or territory’s score is evaluated using five contextual indicators:
● Political
context
● Legal
framework
● Economic
context
● Sociocultural
context
● Safety.
Importance of Press Freedom:
1. Strengthening a nation:
● Free
media works towards strengthening the sovereignty and integrity of a nation.
2. Fundamental to a democratic society:
● The
freedom of press is fundamental to a democratic society like India for it is
helpful in strengthening democracy.
3. Check on Government and Administrators:
● An
independent press and news-media press acts as an important check on Government
and Administrators.
4. Voice against any social ill or wrong:
● It
is also responsible to raise voice against any social ill or wrong.
5. Acts for the public:
● At
national, regional and local level, it is the public’s voice, activist and
guardian as well as educator, entertainer and contemporary chronicler.
6. Source of information:
● An
unbiased information is important for a democracy and its growth. Media helps
in providing critical information to citizens.
● Example:
Data on economy, health, education etc. must be correct and accurate without
any bias toward the government.
7. Educate:
● Media
is important to educate people on issues that are of utmost important for
society.
● Example:
Increasing number of rape cases are threat to society. It is important to
report the exact number of cases and help in sensitizing the society.
8. Awareness:
● Media
make society aware of their democratic rights and fight the three institutions
of democracy.
9. Watchdog:
● Media
reporting on public affairs and investigations into wrongdoing in the administration
of public affairs is a must for a healthy democracy.
● This
includes exposing frauds or corruption cases that personally benefit
politicians. This helps citizens to vote for the best government, defeating
corrupt and dishonest governments.
10. Good governance:
● Media
plays an important role in audit of the government policies and spending. An
unbiased media is important for transparent reporting.
Reasons for Dip in India’s Ranking:
1. Political motivation:
● The
report mentions that Indian authorities have targeted journalists and online
critics in recent times driven by political motivation.
2. Wrongful prosecution:
● It
also talked about journalists getting prosecuted under counterterrorism and
sedition laws thereby cracking down on dissent.
3. Threats and violence:
● It
is said that journalists have been threatened, harassed and abused by communal
forces within the country.
4. Kashmir issue:
● The
situation in Kashmir remains “worrisome” and reporters are often harassed by
police and paramilitaries.
WAY FORWARD:
● Respecting
and protecting the constitutional right to freedom of expression and
information for all citizens, including journalists.
● Repealing or amending
laws that can be used to harass and silence journalists,
such as sedition, defamation and contempt of court.
● Ensuring
that journalists can work safely and
securely without facing threats or attacks from any quarter.
● Promoting media literacy
and ethics among both journalists and audiences to
combat disinformation and propaganda.
● Supporting media
pluralism and diversity by encouraging
independent and alternative voices and outlets.