World Press Freedom Index 2023:
India’s ranking in the recently released 2023 World Press Freedom Index has slipped to 161 out of 180 countries.
Highlights of the 2023 Report:
- India is ranked 161 out of 180 countries. Press freedom in India has gone from “problematic” to “very bad”, with the country slipping 11 ranks since the 2022 report.
- Except for Bangladesh (163), Myanmar (173) and China (179), all other neighbours have a better rank than India — Bhutan (90), Nepal (95), Sri Lanka (135), Pakistan (150), Afghanistan (152).
- India was positioned 169 in political indicators while it was 144 in legislative, 155 in economic, 143 in social indicators and 172 in the safety of journalists.
- Norway is ranked first for the seventh consecutive year.
World Press Freedom Index:
- It is an annual report published by the global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
- Purpose is Compare the level of freedom enjoyed by journalists and media in 180 countries and territories.
- The ranking is based on five categories — political, legislative, economic, sociocultural and safety of journalists.
