The World Press Freedom Index (WPFI) is an annual ranking of countries compiled and published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) since 2002 based upon the non-governmental organization's assessment of the countries' press freedom records in the previous year. It intends to reflect the degree of freedom that journalists, news organizations, and netizens have in each country, as well as the efforts made by authorities to respect this freedom. India ranks 151 out of 180 countries in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index.

Press freedom is a cornerstone of democracy. Unfortunately, it is under threat in many parts of the world. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has published the World Press Freedom Index (WPFI) annually since 2002. The Index ranks countries based on RSF's evaluation of their press freedom performance in the preceding year. The report assesses the level of media pluralism, independence, and self-censorship. It also evaluates the legal, institutional, and infrastructural environments for the media in each country.

The World Press Freedom Index is one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS exam. It covers a significant part of the International Relations subject in the General Studies Paper-2 syllabus. In this article, we shall study in detail the World Press Freedom Index 2022, Reporters Without Borders, and its relevance for UPSC.

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The World Press Freedom Index is an annual report published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). It ranks 180 countries according to the level of freedom available to journalists. 

• The Index is based on various indicators. Some of them include media independence, legal framework, and the safety of journalists.
• It has the following objectives:
  • Raising awareness about the state of press freedom around the world. 
  • Stimulating discussions on ways to promote and defend it. 
• It primarily assesses three things:
  • The Index looks at whether a nation's media outlets have a variety of leanings or if they all follow the same paradigm.
  • The Index looks at how free the press is to tell the truth in a particular nation.
  • The Index aims to determine if a nation's government actively threatens the media through predatory laws and practices.

Origins

• Proclaimed by: UN General Assembly in December 1993, following a recommendation of UNESCO's General Conference.
• Significance of Date: Marks the anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration (1991), a statement of press freedom principles put together by African journalists.

Purpose & Objectives

• Celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom.
• Assess the state of press freedom globally.
• Defend the media from attacks on their independence.
• Pay tribute to journalists who lost their lives in the line of duty.
• Reflect on professional ethics among media professionals.

Also, check out the article on fundamental rights here.

Who publishes the World Press Freedom Index?

Reporters publish the World Press Freedom Index Without Borders. The first report was published in 2002.

Methodology

• The World Press Freedom Index is based in part on a questionnaire with seven broad criteria. This includes:
  • Pluralism, media independence, environment and self-censorship, legal system, transparency, infrastructure, and abuses.
• The legislative framework for the media and the degree of independence of the public media are both considered in the questionnaire. 
  • Infractions of the free exchange of information on the Internet are also included.
• The violence against journalists and media assistants is monitored throughout the year. 
  • Violations due to the government, armed militias, or pressure groups are also included.
  • A lower score in the study indicates more freedom of the press. 

Study the Sedition Law in India in detail here!

Highlights of World Press Freedom Index, 2025

The World Press Freedom Index 2025, released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), shows a global landscape where press freedom is increasingly threatened. Norway continues to top the list, while Eritrea remains at the bottom. India has moved up to 151st place but still faces significant challenges. 

• Norway maintains its first-place position, followed by Estonia, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Finland, all benefiting from strong democratic institutions and robust legal frameworks. 
• Eritrea ranks last, with North Korea, China, Syria, and Iran also at the bottom, facing censorship and authoritarian control. 
• India's ranking improved from 159th to 151st. However, the report emphasizes that this is a modest improvement, and India still falls into the "very serious" or "severe" category, indicating ongoing concerns about press freedom. 
• The Index notes a downward trend in press freedom globally, with over half the world's population living in countries with "severe" press freedom conditions. 
• Economic pressures on journalists and newsrooms, coupled with political influence and growing safety concerns, are significant challenges identified by RSF. 
• The theme of the 2025 index highlights the impact of Artificial Intelligence on press freedom, raising concerns about its potential to both help and hinder journalism. 
• Pakistan (158th), Myanmar (169th), and Afghanistan (175th) are also ranked low, highlighting the challenges faced by press freedom in the region. 

Also, check out the Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression here.

India's Rank in World Press Freedom Index, 2025

India ranks 151 out of 180 countries in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index. RSF points to issues like concentrated media ownership, political influence, and safety concerns for journalists as contributing factors to India's ranking. 

• India is ranked 151st in the World Press Freedom Index, based on five key indicators, and its progress in the 2025 Index is deceptive as its overall score only increased marginally.
• India's ranking in the Security indicator category is worrisome. 
• Violence against journalists, partisan media, and concentration of media ownership show press freedom is in crisis in India. 
• Media outlets are being acquired by oligarchs with close ties to political leaders. This phenomenon restricts the free flow of information. 

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Reasons for Dip in India's Ranking

The reasons for the Dip in India's Ranking are as follows:

• India's position has improved marginally from the 159th rank in 2024 and 161st spot in 2023. However, it remains in the "severe" category,
• The country is ranked below its neighbors Nepal (90th), the Maldives (104th), Sri Lanka (139th), and Bangladesh (149th).
• Top Performers: Norway (1st), Estonia (2nd), and the Netherlands (3rd).
• Global press freedom is classified as being in a "difficult situation" for the first time.
• Economic pressures are a key factor weakening media independence worldwide.

Study the Right To Equality Article here.

Global Report on World Press Freedom Index 2025

According to the latest RSF report, press freedom indices have deteriorated in several countries. The Index highlights a "difficult situation" for press freedom globally, with increasing economic pressures on journalists and newsrooms adding to existing socio-political and legal challenges. 

• The World Press Freedom Index 2025, compiled by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), indicates a challenging global landscape for press freedom, with over half the world's population living in countries with "severe" press freedom conditions. 
• India's ranking improved slightly to 151st with a score of 32.96, but this is considered deceptive as the overall score only increased marginally, according to RSF. 
• The top-performing countries are mainly in Scandinavia and Western Europe, while the lowest-ranked countries are often characterized by censorship and authoritarian control. 

Top countries Ranked in the World Press Freedom Index 2025

According to the 2025 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the top 10 countries with the highest levels of press freedom and their global scores are as follows:

Five Countries with the Least Freedom

In the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, the bottom-ranked countries—indicating the lowest levels of press freedom—are as follows:

Study International Organization Reports in detail here!

About the World Press Freedom Day

The UNESCO General Conference's 1991 suggestion for the day was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1993. On this day, the Windhoek Declaration was made in 1991. (adopted by UNESCO). The "growth of a free, independent, and pluralistic press" was its stated goal. The theme for 2022: Journalism under digital siege

Check out United Nations Principal Organs here.

Importance of the World Press Freedom Index

• Every year, Reporters Without Borders publishes the World Press Freedom Index. This rates countries based on journalist freedom.
• Press freedom is crucial for a nation's well-being and can predict unrest. Here's why this Index matters.
• Experts globally assess media independence. They consider pluralism, self-censorship, transparency, and more.
• The World Press Freedom Index focuses solely on press freedom. But Reporters Without Borders also tracks "Enemies of the Internet."
• The Index uses questions to evaluate factors. Authorities in each country, including journalists and human rights activists, receive the results.

About Reporters Without Borders

Reporters Without Borders, also known as Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF), was established in France in 1985 and officially registered as a non-profit organization in 1995. RSF is an international, non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to safeguarding the freedom of information. The organization advocates for universal access to news and information, in line with Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights treaties. RSF holds consultative status with prestigious institutions such as the International Organization of the Francophonie, the Council of Europe, the United Nations, and UNESCO.

Study essential articles in the Indian Constitution in detail here!

Way Forward

• Freedom of Expression: The fourth pillar of democracy, which the Indian state should uphold, is the freedom of speech and the freedom of the press (Article 19).
• Press freedom is not unrestricted, though. It is subject to the following limitations under Article 19(2)
• Questions about India's sovereignty and integrity, the nation's security, friendly ties with other countries, public order, morality, or matters involving judicial contempt, defamation, or encouragement to commit a crime
• Independent investigations: Authorities should investigate claims of threats and assaults against journalists and critics in a neutral and unbiased manner if they are concerned.
• Regulation Framework: The chaos of disinformation has severe implications, such as the globalization and upregulation of online information spaces, which support propaganda and fake news. A strong regulatory framework for the same should exist in the state.
• The media and democracy: As press freedom is essential to a healthy democracy, the government should take steps to protect it.

Study the Contempt of Court in detail here!

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