World Press Freedom Index 2025

🏛 World Press Freedom Index 2025 Released by: Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Paris-based NGO

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📊 India’s Position in World Press Freedom Index 2025

• Rank: 151 / 180
• Score: 32.96 (0 = worst, 100 = best)
• Category: “Very Serious” situation for press freedom
• Trend: Improved from 159th (2024) and 161st (2023)

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🌐 Top 5 Countries (Best Press Freedom)

1. Norway
2. Estonia
3. Netherlands
4. Sweden
5. Denmark

These countries maintain strong protections for journalists, plural media ownership, and low political interference.

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🚨 Bottom 5 Countries (Worst Press Freedom)

176. Vietnam
177. China
178. North Korea
179. Syria
180. Eritrea

These are “black zones” with censorship, harsh restrictions, state propaganda, and severe punishments for journalists.

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🌏 India’s Neighbouring Countries (2025 Rankings) in World Press Freedom Index 2025

• Pakistan: 152
• Sri Lanka: 135
• Bangladesh: 163
• Nepal: 91
• Bhutan: 79
• China: 177
• Myanmar: 170
• Afghanistan: 178

➡️ India is ranked below Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka, but slightly above Pakistan and Bangladesh.

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⚖️ Methodology used in World Press Freedom Index 2025

Index based on five indicators:

1. Political context
2. Legal framework
3. Economic environment
4. Sociocultural context
5. Safety of journalists

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📝 Quick Exam-Note

• India (2025): Rank 151, Score 32.96 – “Very Serious”
• Top 3: Norway, Estonia, Netherlands
• Bottom 3: Eritrea, Syria, North Korea
• Neighbours: Nepal (91) & Bhutan (79) rank far above India; Pakistan (152) and Bangladesh (163) are below India.
• Major Issue in India: Media ownership concentration, legal harassment, threats to journalists, and political pressure.