India slipped to 157th position in the World Press Freedom Index, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are also ahead of us!

New Delhi. India is the world’s largest democracy and the role of media is considered very important here. India’s ranking in the World Press Freedom Index has seen a significant decline in recent years. Freedom of the press means journalists have an environment to work freely, less government interference, and easier access to information. Its effect is that the citizens there get transparent and reliable information, which enables them to take better social and economic decisions.

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On World Press Freedom Day, a news has come for the Indian media world which has made everyone think. According to the latest report of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), India has now reached 157th position in the list of 180 countries in terms of press freedom. Let us tell you that in the year 2025, India was at number 151. That means India slipped straight down by 6 places.

India lagged behind Pakistan and Sri Lanka

The surprising thing is that this time our neighboring countries like Pakistan (153) and Sri Lanka (134) also seem to be in a better position than us. According to information received from sources, the biggest reason for the decline in this ranking is said to be the increasing legal cases against journalists and lack of security. The situation in India has been kept in the very serious category in the report.

Legal clampdown and danger marks on journalists

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India has been considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists, where on an average 2 to 3 journalists lose their lives every year due to their work. The use of defamation, UAPA and national security laws against journalists has increased rapidly. India’s situation also remains worrying in terms of internet shutdown.

Press freedom has weakened under Modi government: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has accused the Modi Government on World Press Freedom Day that since it came to power in 2014, the country’s position in the World Press Freedom Index has deteriorated and India has reached 157th position in the world regarding press freedom, which is a very worrying situation.

Mr Kharge, in a post on social media X on Sunday, said the nation will have to face a harsh and irrefutable reality on World Press Freedom Day. India’s position in the Press Freedom Index has been continuously declining since 2014 and today it has fallen to 157th position in the world.

He wrote that a true free press does not exist to promote the government’s narrative or hide its failures. The job of the press is to investigate the workings of power, ask questions and hold those in power accountable. In a democracy, media maintains the balance between power and the public. Journalists are the guardians of the public’s truth. Quoting Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in this regard, Mr. Kharge said, “Freedom of the press is not just a slogan but an essential part of the democratic process.” He alleged that this essential part has been seriously affected in the present regime.

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On World Press Freedom Day, the nation must confront a stark and undeniable reality. Since 2014, India’s position in the World Press Freedom Index has steadily declined, falling to 157th place, under the BJP regime.

A free press, in its truest sense, does not exist to amplify…

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) May 3, 2026

He attacked the Sangh Parivar and said it had tried to silence newsrooms by weaponizing the legal framework. Defamation, national security and other draconian laws are being used for intimidation rather than justice. Giving figures, he said that between 2014 and 2020, more than 135 journalists were arrested, detained or interrogated. From 2014 to 2023, 36 journalists were sent to jail. Strict laws like UAPA were imposed on many.

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Journalists are being killed in BJP ruled states.

Referring to the killings of journalists, he said that journalists are being killed in BJP ruled states. He named Raghavendra Bajpai of Uttar Pradesh, Mukesh Chandrakar of Chhattisgarh, Rajiv Pratap Singh of Uttarakhand and Dharmendra Singh Chauhan of Haryana, who were reporting on corruption and public interest issues. He warned that the government is now trying to keep a tight grip on social media also. He said that independent journalism will be punished and obedience will be rewarded, this is the message of BJP-RSS. He appealed to all to deeply introspect on this issue and urged those in power to protect democratic values, institutions and service to the public.