India’s sharp fall in the Press Freedom Index 2024, as reported by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), was largely attributed to:
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Solution: The correct answer is Increasing violence against journalists and digital surveillance.
Explanation:
☛ The World Press Freedom Index 2024 was published by the international non-governmental organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
☛ In the 2024 report, India was ranked 159th out of 180 countries, remaining in the "very serious" category regarding press freedom.
☛ RSF highlighted that India's poor performance was driven by increasing physical violence, arbitrary arrests, legal intimidation, and digital surveillance targeted at media professionals.
☛ The report also cited media concentration, political pressures, and censorship as significant challenges affecting journalistic independence in the country.
Extra Exam-Relevant Facts:
☛ Reporters Without Borders (RSF): Established in 1985 in Montpellier, France, and headquartered in Paris.
☛ World Press Freedom Day: Observed globally every year on 3 May to promote press freedom principles.
☛ Evaluation Indicators: The index assesses five contextual indicators: Political, Legal, Economic, Sociocultural, and Security (Safety).
☛ Top Performer: Norway secured the 1st position in the 2024 ranking for the eighth consecutive year.
☛ Lowest Performer: Eritrea was placed at the bottom (180th position) of the index.
Important One-Liners for Upcoming Exams:
☛ On which date is World Press Freedom Day observed every year? → 3 May
☛ Which international organization publishes the World Press Freedom Index? → Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
☛ Where is the headquarters of Reporters Without Borders located? → Paris, France
☛ Which country secured the 1st rank in the World Press Freedom Index 2024? → Norway
☛ Which country was ranked at the bottom (180th) in the World Press Freedom Index 2024? → Eritrea