World Press Freedom Index 2023

Context: India slips in World Press Freedom Index 2023, ranks 161 out of 180 countries.

• On the World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) (3^rd May), the World Press Freedom Index 2023 .
• India ranked 161 / 180 countries with a score of 36.62. 
• In 2022, India’s rank was 150.
• The day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993, following the recommendation of UNESCO’s General Conference in 1991.
• To raise public awareness of the value of press freedom, the importance of protecting journalists’ rights, and the importance of encouraging independent, free media.
• Theme for 2023:- ‘Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a Driver for All Other Human Rights’

World Press Freedom Index

• It has been published every year since 2002 by Reporters Without Borders or Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF).
• RSF is an independent NGO based in Paris that has consultative status with the United Nations, UNESCO, the Council of Europe, and the International Organisation of the Francophonie (OIF).
• OIF is a 54 french speaking nations collective.
• 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. However, it is not an indicator on the quality of journalism.
• Scoring Criteria:

• score ranging from 0 to 100 
• with 100 being the best possible score (the highest possible level of press freedom) and 0 the worst.

Evaluation Criteria:- five contextual indicators: 

1.    political context, 

2.    legal framework, 

3.    economic context, 

4.    socio-cultural context and 

5.    safety.

Key Highlights of the World Press Freedom Index 2023 :-

• Top Performers:
• Norway, Ireland and Denmark occupied the top three positions.
• Worst Performers:
• Vietnam, China and North Korea were at the bottom on the list.
• India’s Neighbours:

• Sri Lanka -135 (improved from 142 last year)
• Pakistan – 150^th position.
• The situation has gone from ‘problematic’ to ‘very bad’ in three other countries: Tajikistan (down 1 at 153^rd), India (down 11 at 161^st) and Turkey (down 16 at 165^th).

India’s Performance :

• India’s position has been consistently falling in the index since 2016 when it was ranked 133.
• The reasons behind the fall in ranking is the increased violence against journalists and a politically partisan media.
• The acquisition of media outlets by oligarchs who maintain close ties with political leaders.
• The organisation asserts that many journalists in India are forced to censor themselves due to extreme pressure.

Prelims Question for Practice

Consider the following statements regarding World Press Freedom Index 2023 :-
1. It is published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), an independent organization.
2. India has slipped in ranking to 161 out of 180 countries with a score of 36.62. from rank 150 in 2022.
3. Theme for 2023 is ‘Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a Driver for All Other Human Rights’

Which of the statements given above is / are correct :
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans. d)

Mains Question for Practice

Why is media considered as the fourth pillar of democracy? List down some steps taken by Indian Government to promote Press Freedom

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