WORLD PRESS FREEDOM INDEX

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Context: India's press freedom score dropped in the World Press Freedom Index, despite its ranking improving slightly from 161 to 159.

World Press Freedom Index

• The Reporters Without Borders (RSF) publishes an annual World Press Freedom Index that assesses the level of press freedom in countries around the world.
• In the latest report, India's press freedom score declined, indicating a worsening environment for journalists and media organizations.
• Norway and Denmark rank highest in press freedom according to the RSF index, while countries like Eritrea and Syria rank lowest.

Press Freedom Index Score of India

• The press freedom score for India dropped from 36.62 to 31.28 over the past year. This score reflects the challenges and restrictions faced by journalists in the country.
• Despite the decrease in score, India's ranking improved slightly from 161st place in 2023 to 159th place in 2024. This improvement in rank is due to the decline in press freedom in other countries.

Global Press Freedom Trends

• The report notes a global decline in press freedom, with an average 7.6-point decrease globally.
• It emphasizes that press freedom is increasingly under threat from political authorities worldwide, impacting journalists' ability to report independently.

Conclusion

• The World Press Freedom Index serves as an important indicator of the challenges faced by journalists and media organizations worldwide, including in India. The findings highlight the importance of protecting and upholding press freedom as a fundamental aspect of democracy and human rights.

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ROLE OF MEDIA

Source:

The Hindu

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. The rise of social media has empowered citizens but also presents risks of mob mentality and misinformation campaigns. How can the media, social media platforms, and civil society collaborate to create a responsible online ecosystem that fosters informed public discourse and protects individuals from online harassment and intimidation,  while upholding democratic principles?