India slips from 142nd rank to 150th on World Press Freedom Index
India has slipped from 142nd place last year to 150th in the World Press Freedom Index. This information was given in a report released on Tuesday by a global media watchdog. Barring Nepal, India’s other neighbors have also declined in their rankings, with Pakistan reaching 157th, Sri Lanka 146th, Bangladesh 162nd and Myanmar at 176th, according to a report released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). This ranking is for a total of 180 countries.
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According to the RSF 2022 World Press Freedom Index, Nepal has reached the 76th position in the global ranking. Whereas last year, it was ranked 106th, Pakistan 145th, Sri Lanka 127th, Bangladesh 152nd and Myanmar 140th. This year Norway (1st) Denmark (2nd), Sweden (3rd), Estonia (4th) and Finland (5th) are ranked, while North Korea is at the bottom of the list of 180 countries and territories.
Russia has been ranked 155th in the report, down from 150th place last year, while China has moved up two places to 175th. Last year China was ranked 177th.
“On World Press Freedom Day, Reporters Without Borders and nine other human rights organizations urge Indian authorities to stop targeting journalists and online critics for their work,” the international non-profit organization said in a statement on its website. .”
The statement further said that “in particular, the prosecution of them under terrorism and sedition laws should be stopped.”
Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF) said that “Indian authorities must respect the right to freedom of expression and release and target any journalist detained on politically motivated charges for critical reporting.” And the throttling of independent media must stop.
It said, “The targeting of journalists by the authorities as well as the widespread crackdown on dissent has encouraged Hindu nationalists to threaten, harass and abuse journalists critical of the Indian government, both online and offline.” .”
Reacting to the RSF 2022 World Press Freedom Index, three Indian journalist organizations said in a joint statement, “Job insecurity has increased, while attacks on press freedom have seen a sharp increase.” India has not performed very well in the rankings in this regard.
The Indian Women’s Press Club, the Press Club of India and the Press Association said, “Journalists have been imprisoned under harsh laws for trivial reasons and on some occasions they have faced threats to their lives from self-appointed custodians of the law on social media platforms.” Had to do it.”
