Article Title: India – a part of wider trend of eroding press freedom : report
10-05-2025
Science & Technology Current Affairs Analysis
Context
• Indian media “has been shackled and subjected to a systemic strategy to cripple it”, according to the 23rd Annual South Asia Press Freedom Report 2024-25.
• The report, titled “Frontline Democracy: Media and Political Churn”, flags several concerning trends, including a “growing trust deficit in media outlets”, “choking of independent websites” and the extreme precarity of gig workers who are also having to contend with the challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• The report reviews the state of press freedom in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives.
• In a section titled “India: Propaganda and the Press”, the report flagged the proliferation of hate speech and disinformation with the “IT cells” of political parties playing a big role
World Press Freedom Index
• India ranks 151 out of 180 countries in 2025 World Press Freedom Index.
• India’s position has improved marginally from the 159th rank in 2024 and 161st spot in 2023. However, it remains in the “very serious” category,
• The country is ranked below its neighbours Nepal (90th), the Maldives (104th), Sri Lanka (139th) and Bangladesh (149th).
• Top Performers: Norway (1st), Estonia (2nd) and the Netherlands (3rd).
• This is compiled by Reporters Without Borders annually assessing the ability of journalists to work and report freely and independently.
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