Context: 

India’s ranking in the 2023 World Press Freedom Index has slipped to 161 out of 180 countries.

About the Press Freedom Index:

• Objective: To compare the level of press freedom enjoyed by journalists and media in 180 countries and territories.
• Definition of Press freedom: Press freedom is the ability of journalists as individuals and collectives to select, produce, and disseminate news in the public interest independent of political, economic, legal, and social interference and in the absence of threats to their physical and mental safety.
• Released by: Reporters Without Borders (RSF) 
  • RSF is an international NGO with a proclaimed aim to defend and promote media freedom. 
  • Headquarter: Paris
  • RSF has consultative status with the United Nations. 

Findings of the Index:

• Press freedom in India has gone from “problematic” to “very bad”, with the country slipping 11 ranks . In 2022, India was ranked at 150.
• Pakistan has fared better when it comes to media freedom as it was placed at 150, an improvement from last year’s 157th rank. 
• Sri Lanka also made significant improvement on the index, ranking 135th this year as against 146th in 2022. 
• Top 3 Performers: Norway, Ireland and Denmark 
• Bottom 3 Performers: Vietnam, China and North Korea 

                                                                                                              News Source: Hindustan Times