Press freedom score
India’s score in the World Press Freedom Index fell over the last year, from 36.62 to 31.28, according to Reporters Without Borders, which puts together an annual index on the freedom enjoyed by journalists in 180 jurisdictions.
India’s rank improved from 161 in 2023 to 159 in 2024, but this was because other countries had slipped in their rankings.
The government has in the past dismissed international rankings of freedoms in India as misinformed and propaganda driven.
Norway and Denmark topped the RSF table while Eritrea was at the bottom, with Syria just ahead of it.
The press freedom questionnaire covers five categories — political context, legal framework, economic context, sociocultural context and security.
Scores for India dropped (worsened) in all but the security indicator.
Among the countries going to the polls this year, the U.S. was the most concerning in terms of press freedoms, including because of the global impact developments there had
The U.S. press freedom score fell from 71.22 to 66.59 and its rank deteriorated from 45 to 55.
Pakistan ranked seven spots above India at 152
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