Lok Sabha Question No. 286 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-24
Subject: Decline in India's Press Freedom Index
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Vijayakumar Alias Vijay Vasanth

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 286 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2024

## DECLINE IN INDIA'S PRESS FREEDOM INDEX

## 286. SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR ALIAS VIJAY VASANTH:

## Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has noticed that India's press freedom index is declining;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the action taken by the Government to resolve this issue;
- (d) whether India is ranked 159 out of the 180 nations considered in the 2024 edition of the press freedom index; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING, AND ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (e): The Government is committed to ensure the right to freedom of speech and expression  enshrined  under  the  Article  19  of  the  Constitution  of  India.  India  has  a robust and flourishing press.  This is reflected in the fact that during the last 10 years from 2014-15 till date, the number of registered periodicals has gone up 43.9% from 1,05,443 to 1,51,734. Similarly, the number of private satellite TV channels has also significantly  gone  up  during  this  period  from  821  to  910  which  includes  393  news channels.

In  order  to  ensure  freedom  of  press,  Press  Council  of  India  (PCI),  a  statutory autonomous body, has been set up under the Press Council Act, 1978. PCI considers complaints  filed  'by  the  Press'  concerning  curtailment  of  press  freedom,  physical assault/attack on journalists etc. under Section 13 of the Press Council Act 1978. PCI is also mandated to take suo-motu cognizance in matters on the pressing issues concerning freedom of Press and safeguarding of its high standards.

Similarly, the freedom of press in electronic media is ensured through a self-regulatory mechanism under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, which interalia provides that the private satellite TV channels will adhere to a Programme Code in respect  of  content  broadcast  by  them.  The  Cable  Television  Network  (Amendment) Rules, 2021, provides that complaints relating to violation of the Programme Code are to  be  addressed  by  a  three-tier  grievance  redressal  mechanism.  Also,  for  content  of publishers  of  news  and  current  affairs  on  digital  media,  the  Information  Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 prescribed a code of Ethics to be adhered to by such publishers.

The Central Government attaches highest importance to the safety and security to every citizen  of  the  country  including  journalists.  An  advisory  specifically  on  safety  of journalists was issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs to States/ UTs on 20 th October 2017, which is available on their website, requesting them to strictly enforce the laws to ensure the safety and security of the media persons.

Some organizations have attempted evaluation of press freedom using very low sample size and with little or no understanding of our country and its vibrant democracy. Such organizations and their methodology are questionable and not reliable.

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