Bangladesh's press freedom lowest in South Asia
The country slips a notch to rank 163ed among 180 countries on Press Freedom Index
Bangladesh has slipped a notch on the World Press Freedom Index as it has ranked 163rd among 180 countries in the 2023 report – placing at the bottom among the South Asian nations.
The country scored 35.31 in the 2023 index published Wednesday by the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day. Bangladesh's score last year was slightly higher at 36.63 (rank 162nd).
In 2021, Bangladesh's position was 152nd with a score of 50.29. It ranked 151 in the 2020 index.
Bhutan has held the highest place in South Asia, coming out at 90 globally, scoring 59.25.
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Nepal, standing in the second position in the region, scored 57.89 and fell to 95 from 76 globally last year. The third place-holder Sri Lanka scored 45.85 and notched up to 135 from 146.
Pakistan stands fourth in the region, claiming 150th position, up from 157th, Afghanistan took the fifth position and notched up to 152 from 156, and India, at sixth in the region, dropping to 161 from 150 globally.
Norway tops the global index with 95.18 points for the seventh time in a row, followed by Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Netherlands, Lithuania, Estonia, Portugal and Timor-Leste occupying the top ten spots.
The United States stands at 45 with a score of 71.22. Russia was placed at 164, much lower from its 155th position last year, while China dropped by four positions, coming at 179th this year. North Korea holds the last position with a score of 21.72.
The 2023 World Press Freedom Index evaluated the environment for journalism in 180 countries and territories. This year marks the 30th edition of World Press Freedom Day, which was created to remind governments of their duty to uphold freedom of expression. The report looked at the ability of journalists to publish news in the public interest without interference and without threats to their own safety.
According to the report, the situation is "very serious" in 31 countries, "difficult" in 42, "problematic" in 55, and "good" or "satisfactory" in 52 countries.
The RSF report summarises the environment for journalism as "bad" in seven out of ten countries, and satisfactory in only three out of ten. "There is more red on the RSF map this year than ever before, as authoritarian leaders become increasingly bold in their attempts to silence the press. The international community needs to wake up to reality, and act together, decisively and fast, to reverse this dangerous trend," RSF Secretary-General Christophe Deloire noted in the report.
Disinformation, propaganda and artificial intelligence have been deemed as mounting threats to journalism in the report.
"The difference is being blurred between true and false, real and artificial, facts and artefices, jeopardising the right to information. The unprecedented ability to tamper with content is being used to undermine those who embody quality journalism and weaken journalism itself," the report said.
