Media and democracy

India’s score in the World Press Freedom Index fell over the last year, from 36.62 to 31.28, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF for Reporters sans Frontières), which puts together an annual index of freedom enjoyed by journalists in 180 jurisdictions. India ranked 159, two spots higher than last year, in the 2024 edition of the Press Freedom Index, published annually by Reporters Without Borders. It’s behind Turkey, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, which are ranked at positions 158, 152, and 150, respectively. The RSF’s ranking is based on five indicators: political context, legal framework, economic context, sociocultural context and safety of journalists. The RSF said that India’s rank was “pushed up two places despite recently adopting more draconian laws” and is still “unworthy of a democracy”. Published on World Press Freedom Day, the RSF report said press freedom around the world “is being threatened by the very people who should be its guarantors – political authorities”.

Meanwhile, The Free Speech Collective’s report, “Crossing The Line,” casts a stark light on the alarming erosion of free expression in India. Amidst the charged atmosphere preceding a pivotal general election, the report reveals a staggering 134 instances of free speech violations in the initial four months of the year. These transgressions range from the propagation of false narratives to the deliberate dissemination of disinformation, further exacerbated by the venomous spread of hate speech inciting communal discord. What emerges is a disconcerting narrative of shrinking avenues for verified information dissemination, stifled dissent among citizens and student communities, and a conspicuous absence of platforms for constructive dialogue on matters crucial to our democratic fabric, especially in the run-up to elections. The findings underscore not only the fragility of free speech but also the urgent need to safeguard it as a cornerstone of democracy.

In confronting these red flags, it becomes imperative for stakeholders to fortify mechanisms that uphold the principles of free expression, ensuring that the cacophony of divergent voices continues to resonate, unfettered by the chains of censorship and intolerance. Another sobering assessment of India’s democratic health, as delineated in the ‘Democracy Report 2024’ by the V-Dem Institute, paints a grim picture of regression. From its classification as an “electoral autocracy” in 2018 to its further descent into one of the “worst autocratizers,” India’s trajectory raises red flags about the erosion of democratic principles and institutions. This decline is underscored by multiple metrics, indicating a systemic deterioration of democratic freedoms and governance.

The government has in the past dismissed international rankings of freedoms in India as propaganda. The paradox of India’s low rankings in press freedom juxtaposed with the proliferation of media outlets and unrestrained political rhetoric reflects a complex interplay of factors shaping the country’s democratic landscape. While external observers may find this dichotomy bewildering, Indians themselves grapple with the multifaceted challenges posed by a vibrant yet often polarized media ecosystem. The exhaustion stemming from relentless media sensationalism and political mudslinging underscores a deeper frustration with the erosion of civility and responsible discourse. In the absence of effective self-regulation mechanisms, media outlets and politicians alike engage in unchecked rhetoric, perpetuating a cycle of divisiveness and intolerance.