‘Reporters Without Borders’ is an international non-governmental organization that promotes and defends freedom of information. RSF Index is an annual report published by the organization that ranks countries based on their respect for press freedom. It assesses the level of freedom available to journalists in each country and assigns a score to each country based on a range of criteria.
In the currently published index of 2023, India fell to 161st rank, even below countries like Afghanistan (152nd) and Pakistan (150th). While not saying India should be at the top of the list, it surely doesn’t belong to such a low rank. India has a vibrant and diverse media landscape, with various electronic, print and digital media outlets providing citizens with various viewpoints.
The constitution of India guarantees the right to freedom of expression, which has enabled journalists to report a wide range of issues without hesitation. But not to forget that the government can sometimes censor selective reports, yet they find their way to the public. Indian journalists have a tradition of investigative journalism. They have even exposed several high-profile scandals and corruption cases.
Indian reporters have also often taken up the cause of public interest reporting, highlighting social justice and human rights issues. This has led to increased awareness of these issues and put pressure on the government to take action. While the Indian press has setbacks and lacks independence, it still does not deserve to lay at such a low rank on an International Index.