The Indian government has stated that it does not agree with the World Press Freedom Index rankings published by the foreign NGO ‘Reporters Without Borders’. The Information and Broadcasting Minister, Anurag Thakur, mentioned in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha that the government has reservations about the conclusions drawn by the organization. The reasons cited include a very low sample size, little or no weightage to the fundamentals of democracy, and questionable and non-transparent methodology.

The government also does not subscribe to the views of the organization. Thakur clarified that the Press Council of India (PCI), a statutory autonomous body, has been set up to preserve the freedom of the press and improve the standards of newspapers and news agencies in the country. He added that the government, in pursuance of its policy to uphold the freedom of the press, does not interfere in the functioning of the press.

The PCI considers complaints filed by the press concerning curtailment of press freedom, physical assault or attack on journalists under Section 13 of the Press Council Act. The body is also empowered to take suo-motu cognizance in matters concerning freedom of the press and safeguarding its high standards.

The minister’s response came in reply to a question by YSRCP member Adala Prabhakar Reddy. The government’s stance on the World Press Freedom Index has been a topic of debate in the country for some time. While the Indian media is known for its vibrancy and diversity, concerns have been raised about the freedom of the press and the government’s attempts to curb it.

The government has set up the PCI to preserve the freedom of the press and improve the standards of newspapers and news agencies in the country. The PCI considers complaints filed by the press concerning curtailment of press freedom and is empowered to take suo-motu cognizance in matters concerning freedom of the press and safeguarding its high standards.