India ranks 151 in World Press Freedom Index 2025; Report raises alarm over media monopoly
New Delhi: India has been ranked 151 out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index 2025, released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on Friday. While the position reflects a marginal improvement from 159 in 2024 and 161 in 2023, India remains in the “very serious” category for press freedom.
The global media watchdog highlighted growing concerns over the concentration of media ownership in India, stating that political influence over news outlets continues to threaten media plurality. RSF also noted that, for the first time, global press freedom is broadly classified as being in a “difficult situation,” with economic pressures emerging as a major contributing factor.
Among its South Asian neighbours, India ranks below Nepal (90), the Maldives (104), Sri Lanka (139), and Bangladesh (149), but fares better than Bhutan (152), Pakistan (158), Myanmar (169), Afghanistan (175), and China (178). Norway, Estonia, and the Netherlands top the list.
The index evaluates press freedom based on five criteria: political, economic, legislative, social, and security.
Reporters Without Borders’ Editorial Director Anne Bocandé stated that there is no free press without economic independence. “When news media are financially strained, they are drawn into a race to attract audiences at the expense of quality reporting, and can fall prey to the oligarchs and public authorities who seek to exploit them,” said Bocandé.
The report also shed light on alarming press conditions in conflict zones. In Palestine, ranked 163, RSF described the situation as “disastrous,” citing the destruction of newsrooms and the killing of nearly 200 journalists in Gaza. In Haiti (ranked 112), political instability has severely disrupted media operations.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Man killed in flat ceiling plaster crash, wife and son hurt
Thane (PTI): A 45-year-old man was killed, and his wife and son were injured when a portion of plaster from the ceiling collapsed in their flat in a seven-storey building in Thane on Saturday, officials said.
Chief of the Regional Disaster Management Cell, Yasin Tadvi, said the 16-year-old building is not listed in the "dangerous" category.
"The incident occurred in Karumdev Society at about 3 am. The plaster of the hall in a flat on the terrace floor suddenly fell while the occupants were asleep", he said.
Of the four people who were inside the room, two suffered minor injuries and were discharged after primary treatment, Tadvi stated.
The injured persons were identified as Arpita More (42), who suffered minor head injuries, and her son Arush More (16), who sustained injuries to both legs.
Manoj More (45), who sustained chest injuries, died during treatment at a private hospital.
