Guwahati, 3rd May: On World Press Freedom Day, observed annually on May 3rd, people worldwide contemplate the significance of a free press and the obstacles encountered by journalists.
Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, also took to social media to share his thoughts on press freedom. In his tweet, he applauded the role of a free press in democracy, emphasizing its importance as the cornerstone of modern democratic societies. However, netizens were quick to point out India’s ranking in press freedom.
Sarma’s tweet received responses highlighting India’s ranking in the 2024 Press Freedom Index, where it stands at 159th out of 180 countries, according to Reporters Without Borders. This ranking places India behind countries like Pakistan and Sri Lanka, raising concerns about the state of press freedom in the country.
Reporters Without Borders characterized India’s press freedom ranking as “unworthy of a democracy,” noting a decline in press freedom scores across the Asia-Pacific region. Countries like China, Vietnam, and North Korea, known for stringent control over media, ranked at the bottom of the index. Afghanistan, Syria, and Eritrea also faced significant restrictions on press freedom.
The report highlighted ongoing challenges in ensuring the safety and freedom of journalists in various Asian countries, including Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Cambodia, and the Philippines. This underscores the global struggle for press freedom and the imperative to safeguard journalists’ rights and uphold the principles of a free press.
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