Context: India has been ranked 157th out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index 2026 released by Reporters Without Borders (Reporters Sans Frontières).
- Historic Dip: For the first time in the Index’s history, more than half of the 180 countries assessed (52.2%) are categorised as having a “difficult” or “very serious” situation for journalism.
- Criminalisation of Journalism: The “legal indicator” saw the sharpest decline globally, as governments increasingly misuse national security laws, anti-terrorism statutes, and abusive lawsuits (SLAPPs) to silence reporters.
- Most Dangerous Region: The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) remains the most catastrophic region, with 18 out of 19 countries classified as “difficult” or “very serious”.
- Top 5: Norway (1st for the 10th consecutive year), Netherlands, Estonia, Denmark, and Sweden.
- Bottom 5: Eritrea (180th), North Korea, China, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.
- India: Ranked 157th out of 180, dropping six places from 151st in 2025.
- RSF cited rising violence against journalists, highly concentrated media ownership, and the weaponization of national security laws as key reasons for the “very serious” classification.
Reporters Without Borders (RWB):
- Reporters Without Borders (RWB) is an international non-profit organisation governed by principles of democratic governance. It was founded in 1985 in Montpellier by four journalists, RSF is at the forefront of the defence and promotion of freedom of information.
- Recognised as a public interest organisation in France since 1995, RSF has consultative status with the United Nations, UNESCO, the Council of Europe and the International Organization of Francophonie (OIF).