Abstract

Media in India is recognized as the fourth pillar of the democratic system. Thus, the presence of journalistic freedoms in the country is crucial for the healthy functioning of democracy. The media has the authority to question the government. Unlike the opposition parties, journalists need not have a secret agenda. Their role is to share the truth, regardless of how terrible it may appear. It is necessary to keep a close watch on the health of media and journalism around the world. This is where the World Press Freedom (WPF) Index comes into play. The World Freedom Index is an annual report published by the global non-profit organization, Freedom House, which measures the state of political rights and civil liberties in countries across the world. The World Press Freedom Index (WPFI) is an annual ranking compiled and published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a non-governmental organization that advocates for freedom of the press worldwide. The WPFI assesses the state of press freedom in 180 countries. India has seen a significant decline in its ranking on the World Freedom Index in recent years, with its position dropping from 71 in 2015 to 142nd in 2021. On the occasion of WPFI day on May 3, 2022, Reporters without Borders realized its 20th world press freedom index 2022 stating the fall of India’s press freedom ranking to 150th with a score of 41 in 2022. Scholars, civil society activists, and policymakers are all concerned about India's falling ranking. They are trying to understand the reasons behind this drop. One of the main reasons behind India's declining rank in the World Freedom Index is the increasing intolerance towards dissenting voices and the suppression of free speech. In recent years, the Indian government has cracked down on civil society organizations, journalists, and academics who have been critical of its policies. The government has also used laws such as the sedition law and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) to arrest and detain individuals who have expressed dissenting opinions. This paper aims to explore the reasons behind India's declining rank in the World Freedom Index, the Crisis in media credibility, and the reality of Indian media.

Keywords

Indian Media, World Press Freedom Index, Reporters Without Borders, Journalists, Media credibility

Citation (APA Format)

Vajrapu, G. (2023). The fall of Indian media: Factors responsible for the declining rank of Indian media in the World Press Freedom Index. International Journal of Politics, Law, and Management, 2(3).