In News: India retains 142 of 180 spots, remaining “one of the world’s most dangerous countries” for journalists in World Press Freedom index, 2021.
World Press Freedom index, 2021
- The latest index released ranks 180 countries.
- Topped by Norway followed by Finland and Denmark.
- Eritrea is at the bottom.
- China is ranked 177.
- North Korea at 179 and Turkmenistan at 178.
- India is ranked 142, same as last year, after it had consistently slid down from 133 in 2016.
- In the South Asian neighbourhood
- Nepal is at 106,
- Sri Lanka at 127,
- Myanmar (before the coup) at 140,
- Pakistan at 145,
- Bangladesh at 152.
World Press Freedom Index
- Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF), or Reporters Without Borders, has published it every year since 2002.
- RSF is a non-governmental organisation based in Paris that has consultative status with the UN, UNESCO, the Council of Europe, and the International Organization of the Francophonie (OIF).
- OIF is a group of 54 French-speaking countries.
- The Index ranks 180 countries and regions based on the amount of press freedom they have.
- Pluralism, media freedom, media climate and self-censorship, legislative process, accountability, and the efficiency of the infrastructure supporting news and information production are among the criteria.
Source: Indian Express
