Press Freedom Index: India Slips Two Positions, Ranks 142 Out Of 180

The freedom given to media is the litmus test of democracy in a country. India is the largest democracy in the world, but the freedom granted to journalists shows a different picture. India’s rank in media freedom index has fallen from 140 in 2019 to 142 in 2020.

RSF unveils its 2020 World Press Freedom Index:
1: Norway??
2: Finland??
3: Denmark??
11: Germany??
34: France??
35: United Kingdom??
45: United States??
66: Japan??
107: Brazil??
142: India??
166: Egypt??
178: Eritrea??
180: North Korea??

Some UNHRC members and their 2020 Press Freedom Index:
?? Pakistan – 145
?? Venezuela – 147
?? DRC – 150
?? Libya – 164
?? Bahrain – 169
?? Eritrea – 177

(Source: @RSF_en)

As per the media freedom index, in south Asia, Pakistan stands at 145^th position, Bangladesh at the 151st position and Sri Lanka at 127^th position. Afghanistan (121st rank) stood ahead to India in the media freedom index.

Reporters Without Border, who release the Media Freedom Index each year, has heavily condemned the Indian government for curbing press freedom in the country. The report said, “There have been constant press freedom violations, including police violence against journalists, ambushes by political activists, and reprisals instigated by criminal groups or corrupt local officials.”

The report further said, “Ever since the general elections in the spring of 2019, won overwhelmingly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, pressure on the media to toe the Hindu nationalist government’s line has increased.”

Modi government has used various measures including the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), Sedition act to muzzle the voice of media.

In a recent case, a photojournalist from Kashmir was charged with UAPA for allegedly “glorifying antinational activities.”  The RWB has condemned the Indian Government, “Reporters without Borders (RSF) calls for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the flimsy charges brought against Masrat Zahra.”

The media never has a golden era. However, over the years, India’s rank in media freedom rank has significantly deteriorated.

The first edition of the media freedom index was released in 2002 by Reporters Without Borders. The media freedom index shows the press freedom index of 180 countries and measures how the media persons are free to work. The index is recognized and quoted by various global entities s including the United Nations and the World Bank.

Lastly, it is the high time the Modi-led government introspect and made attempts to establish free media in the country.

Featured image for representation only.