India falls to 157 in press freedom index as RSF flags rising pressure on media

NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — India has dropped to 157th place out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, reflecting a continued decline in media freedom amid mounting political, legal, and social pressures on journalists.

The ranking, released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), gives India a score of 31.96, down from 151st position in 2025. The report describes press freedom in the country as being shaped by a “complex” environment where structural constraints are increasingly limiting independent journalism.

According to RSF, the media landscape in India has undergone a significant shift in recent years, with “Hindu nationalist ideology” emerging as a dominant force influencing public discourse. The report notes that many television outlets, particularly in Hindi, devote substantial airtime to religious content, at times “openly advocating hatred of Muslims.”

It highlights a sharp rise in violence, harassment, and intimidation targeting journalists, especially those reporting on politically sensitive issues such as Kashmir or environmental conflicts. Journalists critical of the government are often subjected to threats, arrests, and coordinated online abuse campaigns, with women reporters facing particularly aggressive targeting, including doxxing and threats of violence.

The report also raises concerns about the legal framework governing the media. While freedom of expression is constitutionally protected, authorities have increasingly relied on colonial-era laws such as sedition, defamation, and national security provisions to restrict reporting. Anti-terror legislation has also been used against journalists, contributing to what the report describes as a growing criminalization of the press.

Recent regulatory measures introduced under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including the Telecommunications Act, Information Technology Amendment Rules, and Digital Personal Data Protection Act, are cited as expanding the state’s ability to regulate and control media content.

Economic pressures further complicate the landscape. RSF notes that many Indian media organizations rely heavily on advertising revenue, with the government being a major source of funding. This dependence is seen as undermining editorial independence, particularly for smaller outlets.

The report also points to increasing concentration of media ownership among large corporate groups, including those linked to industrialist Gautam Adani who is close to PM Narendra Modi. His group’s acquisition of leading news channel NDTV is highlighted as an example of shrinking space for critical journalism.

Beyond institutional pressures, the report underscores deep-rooted social inequalities within the media industry itself. It notes that leadership roles are predominantly held by upper-caste Hindu men, limiting diversity in newsrooms and shaping editorial priorities.

On safety, India is described as one of the more dangerous countries for journalists, with an average of two to three media workers killed each year in connection with their work. The report also highlights prolonged detentions and harassment by law enforcement, particularly in regions like Kashmir.

The findings come as the global press freedom environment reaches its lowest point in 25 years, with more than half of the world’s countries now classified as having “difficult” or “very serious” conditions for journalism.

For India, the continued decline underscores growing concerns among media watchdogs and civil rights advocates about the future of independent journalism in what is often described as the world’s largest democracy.