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Press Freedom in South Asia: A Disturbing Decline Amid Rising Threats
Press Freedom Warning for South Asia: Escalating Risks and Shrinking Rights
Context:
The 23rd Annual South Asia Press Freedom Report 2024–25, titled “Frontline Democracy: Media and Political Churn”, presents a grim picture of deteriorating press freedom in South Asia.
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- The report covers India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Maldives, highlighting systemic suppression, violence, and legal threats to journalists.
- The findings underscore the need for urgent institutional reforms, stronger legal protections, and political accountability to preserve media independence in the region.
Press Freedom in India: Systemic Challenges and Legal Suppression
- Growing Authoritarianism:
- The Indian media is increasingly “shackled” and subjected to a systemic strategy to cripple it.
- Use of government power through raids, surveillance, intimidation, and arbitrary detentions of journalists has increased.
- Legal Tools as Instruments of Control:
- Frequent misuse of laws such as:
- Defamation laws
- Sedition charges
- Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)
- Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)
- These laws are weaponized to curb dissent and instill self-censorship in media houses.
- Frequent misuse of laws such as:
- IT Cells and Disinformation:
- Proliferation of disinformation and hate speech is amplified by political “IT cells”, distorting public discourse.
- India has the highest global risk of misinformation, as highlighted in the Global Risks Report 2024.
- Shrinking Editorial Independence:
- Withholding of government advertisements, surveillance, and financial harassment are common strategies to control editorial lines.
- These tactics threaten freedom of speech and expression under the guise of national security and public order.
South Asia in Crisis: Regional Trends and Statistics
- Rising Violence Against Journalists:
- Between 2024–25:
- 250 violations of media rights across South Asia.
- 69 journalists jailed/detained, 20 journalists killed.
- Pakistan witnessed its most violent year in two decades with 8 journalist deaths.
- Between 2024–25:
- Bangladesh:
- 300 journalists were injured or shot during protests.
- Transition from ICT Act (2006) to Cyber Security Act (2023) has not improved transparency.
- Afghanistan:
- At least 172 violations against journalists were reported.
- Press freedom remains fragile amidst political instability.
- Pakistan:
- Submission by IRADA in Islamabad High Court:
- Over 2.5 lakh digital media workers lack legal safeguards.
- Increasing government influence over editorial policies.
- Submission by IRADA in Islamabad High Court:
- Sri Lanka: The Online Safety Act raises alarm due to vague language and potential misuse to stifle dissent.
- Maldives: Journalists face hurdles in accessing information due to the Attorney General’s obstruction.
- Bhutan:
- Sharp decline from 33rd (2021) to 152nd (2025) in global press freedom rankings.
- Government briefings held monthly with the media — a rare positive step globally.
- Journalists report lack of cooperation from official spokespersons.
- Nepal:
- Stands at 90th position globally.
- Merging of Nepal Television and Radio Nepal into a National Public Service Broadcasting Agency seen as a reformist step.
Key Areas of Concern with Media Freedom in South Asia
- Gender Disparity and Structural Inequities in Media
- Few women in leadership roles within media organisations.
- Persistent discrimination against women journalists, particularly in field assignments and pay parity.
- Erosion of Access to Information and Regulatory Concerns
- India’s Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023:
- Though aimed at protecting privacy, the act allows blocking of content deemed “personal information”, weakening the Right to Information (RTI) framework.
- Lack of Editorial Oversight in Digital Media:
- Growing number of blogs, YouTube channels, podcasts offer diverse voices.
- But absence of regulatory frameworks leads to quality and credibility issues.
- India’s Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023:
Proposed Reforms and Way Forward
- India:
- Media Transparency Bill 2024:
- Seeks to curb media monopolies.
- Aims to regulate government advertisement practices to prevent editorial interference.
- Media Transparency Bill 2024:
- Bhutan:
- A new advertisement policy under review to:
- Ensure market-aligned transparency.
- Provide support for independent digital journalism.
- A new advertisement policy under review to:
- Bangladesh: Draft Media Reform Policy 2025 to improve access to information and support ethical journalism.
- Regional Recommendations:
- Strengthening legal protections for journalists.
- Establishing independent regulatory bodies.
- Promoting public service broadcasting.
- Ensuring financial independence of media through transparent advertisement norms.
