World Press Freedom: This year, Norway (first place) and Denmark take first place. (Representatives)
New Delhi:
India’s ranking in the World Press Freedom Index has dropped to 150th place from 142nd out of 180 countries last year, according to a report by a public global media watchdog. Dad on Tuesday.
The rankings of India’s neighbours, excluding Nepal, also fell, with the index placing Pakistan at 157th, Sri Lanka at 146, Bangladesh at 162 and Maynmar at 176th, the report released by the Foundation Reporters Without Borders launched.
According to the RSF World Press Freedom Index 2022, Nepal has risen 30 points in the global ranking at 76th place. Last year, the Himalayan nation was ranked at 106, Pakistan at 145th place. , Sri Lanka 127th, Bangladesh 152nd and Myanmar at 140th place in the index.
This year, Norway (1) Denmark (2), Sweden (3) Estonia (4) and Finland (5) took first place, while North Korea remained at the bottom of the list of 180 countries and territories. soil ranked by Reporters. Borderless.
Russia is ranked at 155, down from 150th last year, while China is up two places with Reporters Without Borders at 175. Last year, China was ranked at number one. 177th.
“On World Press Freedom Day, Reporters Without Borders and 9 other human rights organizations demand that Indian authorities stop targeting journalists and online critics for their work. “, the international nonprofit said in a statement on its website.
“More specifically, they should stop prosecuting them under anti-terrorism and seduction laws,” it added.
Reporters sans frontieres (RSF) says Indian authorities should respect freedom of expression and release any journalist detained on charges of political motives or fraud for coverage of their criticism and stop targeting them and the independent media.
“The government’s targeting of journalists coupled with a broader crackdown on dissent has encouraged Hindu nationalists to threaten, harass and abuse journalists. newspaper criticized the Indian government, both online and offline, with impunity.
The RSF said: “Authorities should also conduct prompt, thorough, independent and objective investigations into allegations of threats and attacks against journalists and critics, including from government officials, do their job. Regarding the global scenario, the RSF says the 20th World Press Freedom Index shows a twofold increase in “polarization” due to amplified information chaos, i.e. polarization of the media. communication promotes division within nations, as well as polarization among states at the international level.
Responding to the RSF World Press Freedom Index 2022, the three Indian journalistic bodies said in a joint statement, “While job insecurity is on the rise, attacks on freedom of as the press has grown exponentially, India doesn’t do very well in this regard, ranking 150 out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index compiled by RSF.
“Journalists have been detained under draconian laws for flimsy reasons and have at times faced threats to their lives and from egotistical guardians on social media. ,” added the Women’s Press Association of India, the Press Club and the Press Association of India.
Noting that a free press is integral to the functioning of a vibrant democracy, they say the media must work together “to take back their part to realize this goal.” “.
(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from an aggregated feed.)
