World Press Freedom Index: Bangladesh Slips Two Notches To 165th Position

The World Press Freedom Index (WPFI) has ranked Bangladesh 165th out of 180 countries, with a score of 27.64 out of 100, in its latest 2024 edition released by Reporters Without Borders. Among South Asian countries, Bangladesh has surpassed only Afghanistan, lagging behind India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, and Bhutan.

In terms of press freedom in South Asia, Nepal has claimed the top spot with a score of 60.52, ranking 74th globally. Maldives follows next at 106th place with a score of 52.36. Bhutan has dropped to the third position in South Asia, ranking 147th globally with a score of 37.29. Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and India occupy the fourth, fifth, and sixth positions respectively. India, which was previously at 161st, has now slipped to 159th place.

Afghanistan ranks last among South Asian countries, with its global position at 178th, scoring only 19.09 points.

The report highlights the challenges journalists face in the Asia-Pacific region. Myanmar, China, North Korea, Vietnam, and Afghanistan are considered the most dangerous places for media workers.

The World Press Freedom Index evaluates five key areas: the political environment, legal framework, economic environment, socio-cultural context, and safety. It indicates a global decline in press freedom, with Norway maintaining its top position with a score of 91.89. Other top-ranking countries include Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Estonia, Portugal, Ireland, Switzerland, and Germany. The global average score on the index has decreased by six percentage points this year.