The 23rd South Asia Press Freedom Report 2024–25 says Indian media is being systematically weakened and restricted.
Titled “Frontline Democracy: Media and Political Churn”, the report highlights declining trust in media, choking of independent websites, and job insecurity for gig and freelance workers.
The report covers press freedom in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Maldives.
Pakistan had its most violent year in 20 years for journalists, with 8 killed.
In India, the report notes the spread of hate speech and disinformation, often fueled by political party IT cells.
Press freedom is threatened by hostile legal tools like defamation, sedition, UAPA, and PMLA laws, which are used to suppress critical journalism.
This has led to self-censorship, legal harassment, and a chilling effect in newsrooms.
Journalists face surveillance, intimidation, arbitrary detentions, raids, and pressure through withholding of government ads.
Freedom of speech is being curbed in the name of national security and public order.
The report cites the Global Risks Report 2024, which identifies fake information as the world’s biggest short-term risk.
Other media challenges include shrinking job markets, increasing AI use in content, falling ad revenue, and unstable freelance work.
Despite this, the digital shift has opened space for alternative media to emerge as a counter to mainstream media.
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