India press freedom score fell over the last year: RSF

India press freedom score fell over the last year: RSF

Context:

India’s score in the World Press Freedom Index declined over the past year, dropping from 36.62 to 31.28, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

• Despite an improvement in rank from 161 in 2023 to 159 in 2024 and this ascent was attributed to other countries slipping in their rankings, rather than domestic improvements.

Relevance:

GS-02 (Polity)

Highlights:

• Norway and Denmark topped the RSF table for press freedom, while Eritrea ranked at the bottom, with Syria just above it.
• RSF noted a global decline in press freedoms, attributing it to political authorities who should ensure press freedom.
• India’s media environment has been described as experiencing an “unofficial state of emergency” since Narendra Modi’s rise to power in 2014, according to RSF’s country file on India.
• Indian journalists critical of the government face harassment campaigns by BJP-backed trolls, as reported in the India country report.
• The United States witnessed a decline in press freedom scores and rankings, with concerns raised over the impact of political developments, including during the Trump presidency.

Importance of Press Freedom for India’s Democracy:

• Press freedom ensures citizens stay informed about current events, enabling active participation in the democratic process.
• A free press acts as a check on government abuse of power by uncovering corruption and human rights abuses.
• Journalists hold officials accountable by investigating and reporting on government actions and policies.
• It promotes transparency in government operations and decision-making processes.
• A free press provides a platform for diverse perspectives, ensuring the concerns of various communities are heard.
• It safeguards freedom of expression and the right to know, protecting individual and group rights.
• It even enhances India’s reputation globally, demonstrating a commitment to democratic values.

Institutions Responsible for Protecting Press Freedom:

• Press Council of India (PCI)
• Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
• News Broadcasters Association (NBA)
• Editors Guild of India
• Legal System, including the judiciary
• International Organizations like Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

Measures to Ensure a Free and Impartial Press:

• Strengthen legal protections: Reform laws like defamation and sedition to prevent misuse against press freedom and ensure fair legal processes for journalists facing challenges.
• Establish independent regulatory bodies: Create autonomous media oversight bodies to enforce ethical standards and address violations impartially, free from government influence.
• Protect journalists and whistleblowers: Enact laws safeguarding journalists from harassment and violence, while providing mechanisms to shield whistleblowers and support their contributions.
• Promote transparency: Implement freedom of information laws enabling journalists to access government information, and ensure media ownership transparency to maintain diversity and prevent conflicts of interest.
• Ensure public broadcasting independence: Safeguard the autonomy of public broadcasters from governmental influence, appoint unbiased oversight boards, and secure transparent funding mechanisms.