World Press Freedom Index | Reporters Without Borders Ranking
The World Press Freedom Index is an annual report by Reporters Without Borders that ranks countries based on their level of press freedom. The report highlights the state of the press in different countries and identifies areas for improvement. Learn more about this important index and its impact on democracy.
Press freedom is an indispensable right in every democratic society, as it is a fundamental element of a healthy democracy. The World Press Freedom Index is a yearly report produced by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) since 2022. The report evaluates the level of press freedom in 180 countries based on criteria such as media autonomy, transparency, the quality of the legal framework, and journalists’ safety. Experts in the media freedom domain fill out the questionnaire used to compile the index. The higher the country ranks on the index, the greater the level of press freedom in that nation.
This article delves into the World Press Freedom Index and the state of press freedom in the country.
| Rank | Country | Global Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Norway | 92.65 |
| 2. | Denmark | 90.27 |
| 3. | Sweden | 88.84 |
| 4. | Estonia | 88.83 |
| 5. | Finland | 88.42 |
| 6. | Ireland | 88.3 |
| 7. | Portugal | 87.07 |
| 8. | Costa Rica | 85.92 |
| 9. | Lithuania | 84.14 |
| 10. | Liechtenstein | 84.03 |
| 11. | New Zealand | 83.54 |
| 19. | Canada | 81.74 |
| 24. | United Kingdom | 78.71 |
| 26. | France | 78.53 |
| 39. | Australia | 73.77 |
| 42. | United States | 72.74 |
| 138. | United Arab Emirates | 44.46 |
| 150. | India | 41 |
| 155. | Russia | 38.82 |
| 175. | China | 25.17 |
| 180. | North Korea | 13.92 |
India’s Position on the World Press Freedom Index
India the largest democracy in the world guarantees press freedom as a fundamental right, but the reality on the ground is somewhat different. India boasts a vibrant media landscape, with over 100,000 registered newspapers and more than 900 television channels. Despite this, India’s place on the World Press Freedom Index has been a cause for concern in recent years.
As per the latest report released in 2022, India is ranked 150th out of 180 countries, dropping 8 spots from 2021. Journalists in India face several obstacles in their line of work, with the government, political parties, and corporations using various methods to influence the media and shape the narrative.
The World Press Freedom Index is an essential tool for comprehending the state of press freedom in various countries. The government must take measures to safeguard press freedom and ensure that journalists can carry out their duties without intimidation or violence.
