When the media chooses state appeasement and sensational debates over being the voice of the people, it’s hardly surprising that India now ranks below nations like Nepal and Sudan in global indices.
Every year, 3rd May is observed as World Press Freedom Day across the globe. On this occasion, Reporters Without Borders publishes the annual World Press Freedom Index. According to the 2025 report, India ranks 151st among 180 countries. This index has been published by the organisation since 2002.
Surprisingly, India is ranked lower than several of its neighbours — Nepal (90th), Maldives (104th), Sri Lanka (139th), and Bangladesh (149th). While India’s position is still better than Bhutan (152nd), Pakistan (158th), Myanmar (169th), Afghanistan (175th), and China (178th), the overall decline is deeply concerning.
The changing face of Indian media
In recent years, political pressure, financial dependency, and editorial compromise have significantly impacted Indian media. Several TV channels and digital portals have sacrificed editorial independence to push a one-sided narrative. As a result, terms like “policy-aligned media” have gained popularity — a polite way to critique their reporting style.
This pattern is particularly visible during incidents like the Pahalgam attack, where sections of the media appear more like spokespersons for the government and security agencies than neutral informers for the public. So much so that even the government had to issue an advisory urging media to stay within their domain.
Sensationalism disguised as debate
Certain TV anchors have turned debates into spectacles, prioritising divisive, provocative topics over genuine public interest. Employment, education, healthcare, and infrastructure are sidelined in favour of religious tensions, border disputes, or incitement against minorities. This not only damages the credibility of journalism but also endangers social harmony.
Warnings from global organisations
According to Reporters Without Borders, “Media pluralism in India is under threat due to the concentration of media ownership in the hands of powerful political and corporate entities.”
The Press Freedom Index evaluates countries on five parameters: political, legal, social, economic, and safety-related. Editorial director Ann Bekenkamp remarked, “There is no free press without economic independence.” Financially vulnerable media houses tend to favour sensationalism over serious journalism to attract attention and revenue.
The report also notes that since Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014, the Indian media has been in a state akin to an “undeclared emergency.” Major media groups with close ties to the government have further eroded media independence.
The real responsibility of media
The media’s role is not to echo the government but to highlight public concerns, ask critical questions, and uphold democratic values. When journalism veers from this path and becomes a mouthpiece for the powerful, it inevitably loses credibility, impact, and public trust. A fall in global rankings is then not a surprise, but a consequence.
Despite the odds, a handful of journalists and organisations continue to uphold the principles of honest, balanced, and investigative reporting. For a healthy democracy, such voices must be supported and encouraged.
(The author is the Resident Editor of Inquilab, Delhi)
📧 yameen@inquilab.com
Disclaimer:
The views, opinions, and analyses expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official stance of the organisation. The organisation is not responsible for endorsing or opposing any of the expressed viewpoints.