📍 Do you Know? Where Does India Stand on the Global Press Freedom Map? Explore our world ranking and what it means for journalism in India. India's Press Freedom Ranking Overview • 2025 Rank: 151st out of 180 countries • Previous Rank (2024): 159th • Top 3 Countries: Norway, Estonia, Netherlands • India's Neighbors: o Nepal: 90th o Maldives: 104th o Sri Lanka: 139th o Bangladesh: 149th o Bhutan: 152nd o Pakistan: 158th o Myanmar: 169th o Afghanistan: 175th o China: 178th 📉 Key Factors Affecting India's Ranking evaluates countries based on five indicators: political context, legal framework, economic context, sociocultural context, and safety of journalists. • Political Context: India's media has experienced an "unofficial state of emergency" since 2014, with increasing alignment between major media houses and the ruling party. • Legal Framework: The use of colonial-era laws, such as sedition and defamation, along with new legislations like the 2023 Telecommunications Act, has granted the government extensive powers to control media and suppress dissent. • Economic Context: Media ownership is highly concentrated, with major conglomerates like Reliance Industries and the Adani Group controlling significant portions of the media landscape, potentially influencing editorial independence. • Sociocultural Context: The media landscape lacks diversity, with managerial positions predominantly held by upper-caste Hindu men, leading to underrepresentation of marginalized communities. • Safety of Journalists: Journalists face threats, harassment, and violence, with at least 15 charged under anti-terrorism laws and 36 detained since 2014. 📰 Notable Incidents • Harassment and Threats: Journalists like Harleen Kapoor and Arjun Menon have reported threats and pressure to avoid sensitive topics, reflecting a climate of fear and suppression. • Legal Actions: The arrest of journalist Siddique Kappan and the revocation of non-profit status for independent outlets like The Reporters' Collective highlight the use of legal mechanisms to stifle independent journalism.