World Press Freedom Index 2024: India's Score Declines

India's press freedom score fell in the World Press Freedom Index 2024, reflecting a broader global trend of declining press freedom.

About the World Press Freedom Index 2024:

1. The World Press Freedom Index is an annual report published by the global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
2. The index ranks 180 countries based on the ability of journalists to work freely and independently.
3. It comprises 5 categories:
   1. political context,
   2. legal framework,
   3. economic context,
   4. sociocultural context, and
   5. security.
4. The index focuses on only  press freedom and does not assess the quality of journalism or general human rights violations.

Key Findings of the 2024 Index:

1. There has been an overall decline in press freedom globally, with an average drop of 7.6 points across countries.
2. Norway topped the ranking, followed by Denmark.
3. Countries with "good" press freedom are primarily located in Europe, particularly within the European Union, which has adopted the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA).
4. The Maghreb and Middle East regions experienced the most severe restrictions on press freedom imposed by government forces.
5. Eritrea ranked at the bottom of the list, just ahead of Syria.

India's Ranking and Performance:

1. India's rank improved slightly from 161 in 2023 to 159 in 2024, primarily due to the decline in press freedom in other countries.
2. India's scores declined in all categories except for the security indicator.
3. India ranks behind Turkey (158), Pakistan (152), and Sri Lanka (150) in terms of press freedom.

Challenges in 2024 Election Year

1. The year 2024, with major global elections, has highlighted a decline in political support for press freedom.
2. Instances of violence against journalists during elections have been reported in various countries like Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Impact of Disinformation and AI

1. The use of generative AI, including deepfakes, is a growing concern in influencing election outcomes through disinformation campaigns.
2. Governments are intensifying control over social media and the internet, restricting access and suppressing dissenting voices.

Regional Overview

1. Europe: Press freedom conditions vary, with Eastern European countries adopting repressive methods similar to Russia.
2. Americas: Journalists face risks covering topics like crime and corruption, with a decline in press freedom in South America.
3. Africa: Political violence during elections has affected press freedom in Sub-Saharan Africa, with increased repression in countries like Nigeria and Madagascar.
4. Asia-Pacific: Countries like Myanmar, China, North Korea, and Afghanistan are among the most dangerous for journalists.
5. Middle East and North Africa: Several countries exhibit a "very serious" situation for press freedom, including Palestine, Iraq, and Syria.

Best and Worst Performers

1. Norway remains at the top of the index, but political scores have declined globally.
2. Countries like Afghanistan, Syria, and Eritrea shows severe challenges, with record numbers of journalists detained or missing.

What is the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA)?

1. The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) is a proposed law in the European Union aimed at establishing a common framework for media services within the EU's internal market.
2. It introduces measures to protect journalists and media providers from political interference and facilitates their operations across EU borders.
3. The new rules will ensure citizens' right to access free and pluralistic information and define the responsibilities of Member States in providing a good environment for freedom of the press.

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