India slips to 161 on World Press Freedom Index

Context

India’s ranking has fallen to 161 in the World Press Freedom Index-2023 in the list of 180 countries. In 2021, India’s ranking was 150, down from a ranking of 142 on the press freedom index.

Key Findings of the Report

Toppers: Norway, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Netherlands, Lithuania, Estonia, Portugal and Timor-Leste occupy the top 10 ranks in the World Press Freedom Index 2023.
India’s neighbours: The relative rankings of some countries -- Pakistan rose up seven ranks and was placed at 150^th, and Afghanistan was ranked 152nd.
The World Press Freedom Index revealed that press freedom in 31 is in a “very serious situation”.
- Two years ago, the number was 21 countries.

About the Report

The World Press Freedom Index Report is an annual report.
It is published by Reporters Without Borders, a non-governmental organization that advocates for freedom of the press worldwide.

RSF is an international NGO whose self-proclaimed aim is to defend and promote media freedom. Headquartered in Paris, it has consultative status with the United Nations.

The report ranks 180 countries based on their level of press freedom, taking into account factors such as censorship, media independence, and the safety of journalists.
The World Press Freedom Index is based on five different factors that are used to calculate scores and rank countries. These five sub-indicators include the:
- Political indicator
- Economic indicator
- Legislative indicator
- Social indicator
- Security indicator