World Press Freedom Index, 2021 

---

The Reporters Without Borders, a not-for-profit body recently published the World Press Freedom Index, 2021. It ranked 180 countries. India ranked 142 in the index. India was at the same position in 2020 as well.

Key Highlights

• Journalism, the main vaccine against disinformation, is completely or partially blocked in 73% of the 180 countries.

• Only 12 of the Index’s 180 countries (7%) can claim to offer a favorable environment for journalism.

• The Report has raised concern about the larger Asia-Pacific region as several nations in an attempt to curb freedom of the press have in place draconian laws on ‘sedition,’ ‘state secrets’ and ‘national security.

• Norway has topped yet again for the fifth year in the row, followed by Finland and Denmark.

• Eritrea received the last rank in the index. China ranked 177th out of 180 countries. North Korea was at rank 179 and Turkmenistan was at rank 178.

About World Press Freedom Index:

• It has been published every year since 2002 by Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF) or Reporters Without Borders.

Based in Paris, RSF is an independent NGO with consultative status with the United Nations, UNESCO, the Council of Europe, and the International Organization of the Francophonie (OIF).