India’s Ranking Sees Slight Improvement Amid Deep Challenges
World Press Freedom Index 2025: Global Journalism Faces Alarming Decline: The World Press Freedom Index 2025, released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), reveals a troubling global trend: for the first time, the overall global press situation has been termed a “difficult situation”. While India improved its position by 8 ranks to 151st, the overall score of 32.96 indicates persistent issues. Indian journalists continue to face violence, misuse of sedition laws, and censorship, especially in politically sensitive areas like Kashmir. Despite the marginal rise, the report underscores the fragility of press freedom in the country.
Global Overview: Nordic Nations Lead, Authoritarian States Lag
Norway retained its position as the top country for press freedom with a score of 92.31, followed closely by Estonia, Netherlands, and Sweden. These countries benefit from strong legal frameworks, editorial independence, and pluralistic ownership models. At the other end, Eritrea (180th) and North Korea (179th) continue to suppress free media completely. Other low-ranking nations like China (178th) and Iran (176th) are marked by state-controlled narratives, mass surveillance, and frequent journalist imprisonment, creating an environment hostile to free expression.
Economic and Political Pressures on Media Worldwide
The report warns that in 160 out of 180 countries, economic hardship is severely weakening newsrooms. Declining advertising revenues and rising costs have crippled independent media, even in established democracies. Countries like Argentina (87th) and Tunisia (129th) saw sharp declines due to shrinking newsroom operations. Meanwhile, political instability and authoritarian controls are further tightening the grip on press freedom. Palestine (163rd) and Israel (112th) both dropped due to escalating tensions and pressure on media.
India’s Position in a Global Context
India’s movement from 159th in 2024 to 151st in 2025 may appear positive, but it reflects only marginal progress. Challenges persist in digital censorship, harassment of journalists, and opaque media regulation. The report particularly highlights that coverage of protests, human rights, and governance issues remains sensitive territory, often leading to FIRs and surveillance. India’s press landscape, though active, continues to operate under social and legal constraints, raising questions about long-term press freedom sustainability.
Ownership Concentration and Legal Restrictions
The concentration of media ownership is a growing concern globally, with 46 countries, including Canada (21st) and France (25th), showing declining pluralism. Editorial interference was reported in 92 nations, where ownership influences newsrooms’ editorial direction. Countries like Russia (171st) and Vietnam (173rd) offer no space for independent voices. Simultaneously, repressive laws in countries like Georgia (114th) and Jordan (147th) are being used to suppress dissent under the guise of national security or foreign influence control.
Static GK Snapshot for Exams
World Press Freedom Index 2025: Global Journalism Faces Alarming Decline:
| Topic | Details |
| Index Published By | Reporters Without Borders (RSF) |
| Year of Release | 2025 |
| India’s Rank in 2025 | 151st (up from 159th in 2024) |
| India’s Score | 32.96 |
| Top-Ranked Country | Norway (Score: 92.31) |
| Bottom-Ranked Country | Eritrea (Score: 11.32) |
| Key Press Freedom Issues in India | Violence, sedition laws, digital censorship |
| Worst Performers | North Korea (179), China (178), Syria (177), Iran (176), Russia (171) |
| Economic Barrier Reported In | 160 out of 180 countries |
| Concern Over Ownership Concentration | Found in 46 countries, including Canada and Australia |
