ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has gone up eight places in the World Press Freedom Index.
Although, the country is still ranked 139 in the index among 180 countries, Pakistan is among the few countries with most improved scores since 2016, according to the new report by the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) released on Wednesday. It was ranked 147 last year.
On the other hand, the neighbouring India lost three places to be placed on the 136th position. The fresh RSF report strongly criticised India for curbing freedom of expression in Kashmir and Indian Army’s highhandedness with journalists.
“With Hindu nationalists trying to purge all manifestations of ‘anti-national’ thought from the national debate, self-censorship is growing in the mainstream media,” the report said. It highlighted Indian government’s efforts to suppress coverage of protests in Kashmir.
“On the first day of a wave of protests in Kashmir in July 2016, the Internet was cut by the military and was often interrupted thereafter to prevent communication between protesters and prevent coverage by the media and citizen journalists,” report said.