TAG: GS 2: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
THE CONTEXT: The Reporters Without Borders (RSF) annually releases the World Press Freedom Index, a comprehensive assessment of press freedom in 180 countries.
EXPLANATION:
- The index evaluates the degree of freedom enjoyed by journalists based on various parameters, including the political, legal, economic, sociocultural, and security contexts.
- Norway and Denmark emerge as frontrunners in press freedom, occupying the top positions in the RSF table.
- On the contrary, Eritrea finds itself at the bottom, with Syria just marginally ahead, highlighting stark disparities in press freedom across different regions.
India’s Press Freedom Score and Ranking
- According to the RSF report, India’s press freedom score experienced a decline from 36.62 to 31.28 over the past year.
- Despite a marginal improvement in ranking from 161 to 159, it is noteworthy that this improvement was primarily due to the slip in rankings of other countries rather than significant progress within India itself.
Factors Contributing to India’s Declining Press Freedom
- The RSF report attributes India’s deteriorating press freedom to various factors, prominently highlighting the impact of political authorities, particularly since Narendra Modi assumed power in 2014.
- It mentions a noticeable convergence between BJP party and major media conglomerates, leading to concerns about media independence and impartiality.
- The phenomenon of “Godi media,” characterized by a blend of populism and pro-BJP propaganda, is highlighted as a concerning trend.
- Additionally, the report underscores the harassment campaigns faced by journalists critical of the government, often orchestrated by BJP-backed trolls.
Assessment of Press Freedom Worldwide
- The RSF report paints a grim picture of press freedom globally, indicating a concerning trend of deteriorating conditions.
- The average decline in press freedom scores across the globe stands at 7.6 points, reflecting a widespread threat to journalistic independence.
Impact of Elections on Press Freedom
- The report emphasizes the significant influence of electoral contexts on press freedom, particularly evident in countries like India and the United States.
- In India, elections serve as a pivotal moment where authorities engage in mass disinformation and propaganda campaigns, further exacerbating challenges to media freedom.
Comparative Analysis with the United States
- The RSF report underscores concerns regarding press freedom in the United States, particularly during the Trump presidency.
- Trump’s hostile attitude towards the media, labeling them as “enemies of the state,” and treating them as such during campaigns, had a detrimental impact on press freedom.
- This is reflected in the decline in the U.S. press freedom score from 71.22 to 66.59, accompanied by a deterioration in its ranking from 45 to 55.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF):
- Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is an international non-profit and non-governmental organization focused on safeguarding the right to freedom of information and press freedom worldwide.
- It was founded in 1985 in France by Robert Ménard, Rémy Loury, Jacques Molénat and Émilien Jubineau.
- RSF has consultative status at the United Nations, UNESCO, the Council of Europe, and the International Organisation of the Francophonie.
- The organization works to defend imprisoned or persecuted journalists, expose mistreatment and torture of journalists, provide financial aid, and promote journalists’ safety.
- RSF publishes an annual World Press Freedom Index that ranks 180 countries by their degree of press freedom, though its objectivity has been questioned by some critics.
- The organization has a presence on five continents and employs around 100 staff globally, with its headquarters in Paris.
- RSF’s main activities include advocacy, campaigning, providing assistance to journalists at risk, and taking legal action in defense of press freedom.
World Press Freedom Index:
- It is an annual report published by the global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
- The report ranks 180 countries based on their level of press freedom, taking into account factors such as censorship, media independence, and the safety of journalists. However, it is not an indicator of the quality of journalism.
- The Index’s rankings are based on a score ranging from 0 to 100 that is assigned to each country or territory, with 100 being the best possible score (the highest possible level of press freedom) and 0 the worst.
- The ranking is based on five categories:
- Political
- Legislative
- Economic
- Sociocultural and
- Safety of journalists.