India’s ranking has slipped to 161 in the World Press Freedom Index 2023. The report published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranked India at 150 out of 180 countries in 2022. The report stated that the ‘world’s largest democracy’ is facing a media crisis.
The World Press Freedom Index revealed that press freedom in 31 is in a “very serious situation”. Two years ago, the number was 21 countries. Increased aggressiveness from autocratic governments – and some that are considered democratic – coupled with “massive disinformation or propaganda campaigns” has caused the situation to go from bad to worse, according to the list, Guardian reported.
According to the report, press freedom has been on shaky ground in India since 2014, when the Narendra Modi-led BJP government came into power; a government, which is an embodiment of the Hindu nationalist right.
Pakistan's ranking, on the other hand, has improved, with it moving from 157 in 2022 to 150 in 2023.
“There is more red on the RSF map this year than ever before, as authoritarian leaders become increasingly bold in their attempts to silence the press,” the RSF secretary general, Christophe Deloire, told the Guardian. Wednesday marks the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day.
The United Nations chief warned on the eve of World Press Freedom Day that the media is under attack in every corner of the world and urged all nations to stop the targeting of truth and those who report it.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the 50 per cent increase in the killing of media workers in 2022 "unbelievable," stressing that freedom of the press "is the foundation of democracy and justice" and it is under threat.