25 April 2018

National

India Slips Again In World Press Freedom Index, Now Just One Point Ahead Of Pakistan

India continue to slip farther down since 2016 when it stood at 133. Its neighbour Pakistan remained at a consistent 139 from 2017.





India, the largest democracy in the world, slipped again this year by two ranks to 138th in World Press Freedom Index, just one rank ahead of Pakistan which stands at a consistent 139.

In the 180-strong list of nations, Norway and North Korea retained their positions as number 1 and number 180 respectively, while India continue to slip farther down since 2016 when it stood at 133. India's neighbour Pakistan remained at a consistent 139 from 2017.

In its annual index report, Reporters Without Borders (RWB) rank 180 countries with respect to freedom accorded to journalists. The index map this year shows India in a dim light. The report cites "self-censorship in the mainstream media" and "online smear campaigns" against journalists by the "most radical nationalists" as reasons behind its downfall.

The report mentions the killing of journalist Gauri Lankesh in 2017 who, the report says "had been the target of a hate campaign on social networks."