GUWAHATI: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s message on World Press Freedom Day, highlighting importance of a free press, triggered a social media storm as netizens pointed out India’s press freedom ranking.
“A free and fair press, which reports without any bias, is the bedrock of modern democracy,” Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
The Assam CM added: “In India, press freedom has been given utmost importance. Barring the dark period of emergency, journalists continue to report freely and objectively.”
One user sarcastically commented that “press freedom rank of India is 161 of 180 countries” to underscore the reality of the situation.
Another netizen pointed out a contradiction between the words ‘press’ and ‘freedom’ in the Indian context, stating, “Press must be free with the freedom to establish a loyal democracy of the public.”
Notably, India’s press freedom rank stands at 159 according to the 2021 edition of the Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders, placing India lagging behind both Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
RSF has remarked that India’s press freedom ranking is “unworthy of a democracy”.
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In its “Asia-Pacific: press freedom under yoke of authoritarian governments” report, RSF has highlighted the growing trend of restriction on press freedom in the region, with political indicators serving as an essential barometer for press freedom.
The report notes a significant global decline in press freedom scores underlining the threat posed by political authorities worldwide.
The Asia-Pacific region, in particular, saw 26 out of 32 countries and territories experience a setback in press freedom scores.
China, Vietnam and North Korea continued to occupy the bottom rungs of the index, with Afghanistan, Syria and Eritrea taking their places characterized by major media crackdowns.
Among other Asian countries grappling with the challenge of ensuring media safety and freedom are Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Cambodia and the Philippines.