- World Press Freedom Index for the year 2019 has been released.In this year’s index,Norway has been ranked first for the third year in a row followed by Finland.
- India has dropped two places on the index to be ranked at 140th out of 180 countries.India has fared poorly due to (a)violent attacks against journalists leading to at least six journalists being killed (b)alarming rate of coordinated hate campaigns against journalists.
- The index also says that hatred against journalists has degenerated into violence contributing to an increase in fear.The number of countries regarded as safe where journalists can work in complete security continues to decline while authoritarian regimes continue to tighten their grip on the media.
- Further,South Asia features poorly on the index with Pakistan dropping three places to 142 and Bangladesh dropping four places to 150.At the bottom of the Index is Turkmenistan which has replaced North Korea.
- World Press Freedom Index is published every year since 2002 by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).Reporters Sans Frontieres(RSF) or Reporters Without Borders is a non-profit organisation that works to document and combat attacks on journalists around the world.
- The Index ranks countries according to the level of freedom available to journalists.However,It does not rank based on government policies.
