Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, May 3: India’s position in the World Press Freedom Index for 2023 has dropped to 161 out of 180 countries, as stated in the recent report by the global media watchdog, Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Pakistan has performed better in terms of media freedom, ranking at 150, an improvement from last year’s 157th rank. India was placed at 150 in 2022. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka has shown significant progress by ranking 135th this year compared to 146th in 2022.

The top three positions in press freedom were occupied by Norway, Ireland, and Denmark, while Vietnam, China, and North Korea were at the bottom three.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF), an international NGO headquartered in Paris with consultative status with the United Nations, releases a global ranking of press freedom every year. The aim of the World Press Freedom Index is to compare the level of press freedom enjoyed by journalists and media in 180 countries and territories in the previous calendar year.

RSF defines press freedom as the ability of journalists as individuals and collectives to select, produce, and disseminate news in the public interest independent of political, economic, legal, and social interference and in the absence of threats to their physical and mental safety.