Assam CM Sarma greets on World Press Freedom Day; netizens point out India's ranking at 150th position

On World Press Freedom Day, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's message lauding the significance of a free press sparked a social media uproar as netizens pointed out India's concerning press freedom ranking.

Despite Sarma's assertion, India's press freedom rank is 159 out of 180 countries according to Reporters Without Borders, trailing behind Pakistan and Sri Lanka. This discrepancy led RSF to criticize India's rank as "unworthy of a democracy," highlighting a pressing issue regarding the state of press freedom in the country.

The RSF report titled “Asia-Pacific: press freedom under yoke of authoritarian governments” shed light on the broader trend of increasing restrictions on press freedom in the region. It noted a worrying decline in the political indicator, crucial for maintaining press freedom, indicating a growing threat posed by political authorities worldwide. This underscores the urgent need to address challenges to press freedom and uphold the principles of democracy and freedom of expression.

The social media flurry surrounding the Assam Chief Minister's message reflects a growing awareness of India's press freedom challenges and the importance of addressing them to safeguard democratic values and ensure a free and vibrant press.