Publisher: Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a Paris-based non-governmental organization advocating for press freedom globally.
Release Date: 3 May 2024 (World Press Freedom Day).
Theme: “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis” – Focuses on challenges faced by journalists covering environmental issues, including censorship, violence, and legal threats.
Scope: Evaluates 180 countries based on 5 indicators:
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- Political: Government influence over media.
- Economic: Media ownership concentration and financial pressures.
- Legislative: Laws impacting journalism (e.g., censorship, defamation).
- Social: Societal tolerance for independent reporting.
- Security: Risks to journalists’ safety (harassment, violence, imprisonment).
Top Performers:
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- 1st: Norway (consistently ranks 1st since 2017).
- 2nd: Denmark.
- 3rd: Sweden.
- Other democracies: Germany (11th), France (16th), USA (55th).
Bottom Performers:
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- 180th: Eritrea.
- 179th: Syria.
- 178th: North Korea.
India’s Ranking in WPFI 2024
- Position: 159th (slight improvement from 161st in 2023 but still among the lowest for democracies).
- Regional Context:
- Pakistan: 152nd.
- Sri Lanka: 159th (tied with India).
- Bangladesh: 165th.
- China: 172nd.
Reasons for India’s Low Ranking
- Political Environment:
- Government pressure: Allegations of censorship, intimidation of critics, and misuse of laws (e.g., UAPA, sedition) against journalists.
- Media polarization: Rise of pro-government narratives and suppression of dissent.
- Safety of Journalists:
- Violence: Journalists covering corruption, religion, or environmental issues face attacks, legal harassment, and online abuse.
- Impunity: Low conviction rates in cases of violence against journalists (e.g., killings of Gauri Lankesh, Sudip Datta Bhaumik).
- Legal Framework:
- Laws used to silence critics: IT Act (Section 66A), Criminal Defamation, and anti-terror laws (UAPA).
- Internet shutdowns: Frequent blackouts disrupt press freedom (India leads globally in shutdowns).
- Economic Pressures:
- Corporate-media nexus: Concentration of media ownership in pro-government conglomerates.
- Funding cuts: Independent outlets struggle due to reduced advertising revenue.
- Environmental Journalism:
- Theme relevance: Journalists reporting on climate change, deforestation, or pollution face legal threats and physical violence.
- Example: Cases filed against reporters covering illegal mining in Goa or pollution in Delhi.
Global & Regional Trends
- Press freedom decline: Only 7% of countries rated “good” for press freedom.
- Notable drops:
- Israel: Fell to 101st (from 97th) due to wartime censorship in Gaza.
- Argentina: Dropped to 66th (from 40th) under Javier Milei’s media-hostile policies.
Indian Government’s Response
- Rejection of ranking: Dismissed as “biased” and reflective of a “colonial mindset.”
- Counterclaims: Highlights India’s vibrant media landscape with 1,50,000+ publications and digital platforms.
RSF’s Recommendations for India
- Repeal repressive laws (e.g., UAPA, sedition) used against journalists.
- Ensure safety through swift investigations into attacks on media.
- Promote media pluralism by regulating ownership concentration.
- Stop internet shutdowns unless strictly necessary.
Conclusion
India’s WPFI 2024 ranking underscores systemic threats to press freedom, including legal harassment, violence, and censorship. While the government emphasizes media diversity, RSF’s report highlights the shrinking space for critical journalism, particularly on environmental and political issues. Addressing these challenges requires legislative reforms, institutional accountability, and societal commitment to safeguarding free speech as a pillar of democracy.
