Guwahati: The Congress party on Sunday strongly criticized the condition of press freedom in India, pointing to the country’s ranking of 157 in the World Press Freedom Index 2026, which places it in the “very serious” category.
Marking World Press Freedom Day,the party said that a free press represents the voice of democracy,but claimed that this voice is increasingly under threat.In a post on X,it expressed support for journalists and others who “speak truth to power” and work to uphold democratic values.
The Congress emphasized that India’s low ranking reflects growing concerns about media independence, reaffirming its solidarity with those striving to protect it.
World Press Freedom Day was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993,following a recommendation from the 26th session of the UNESCO General Conference.This move was rooted in a call from African journalists, who in 1991 put forward the landmark Windhoek Declaration.
The Windhoek Declaration is widely regarded as a key milestone in promoting press freedom across the globe.It originated from a seminar held in Windhoek in 1991,where discussions among African journalists and media professionals sparked ideas that advanced press freedom,media independence,and pluralism not only in Africa but worldwide.
World Press Freedom Day, which is on May 3, serves as a reminder to governments to honor their commitment to press freedom. It is also a time for media professionals to reflect on issues related to independence and ethics, celebrate the core principles of a free press,evaluate global press conditions,defend the media from interference,and honor journalists who have lost their lives while doing their work.