Context: India’s ranking in the 2023 World Press Freedom Index has slipped to 161 out of 180 countries, according to the latest report released by global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF). In comparison, Pakistan has fared better when it comes to media freedom as it was placed at 150, an improvement from last year’s 157th rank. In 2022, India was ranked at 150. Sri Lanka also made significant improvement on the index, ranking 135th this year as against 146th in 2022.
About World Press Freedom Index
- Reporters Without Borders (RSF) comes out with a global ranking of press freedom every year.
- RSF is an international NGO whose self-proclaimed aim is to defend and promote media freedom.
- Headquartered in Paris.
- It has consultative status with the United Nations.
- The objective of the World Press Freedom Index “is to compare the level of press freedom enjoyed by journalists and media in 180 countries and territories”.
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