Half the World Population Faces Restrictions on Press Freedom: The Alarming Numbers and Implications for Democracy

It is concerning to note that more than half of the world’s population resides in areas with significant restrictions on press freedom, with journalists facing potential risks to their safety and freedom. In contrast, only a small percentage of the global population lives in places where press freedom is considered satisfactory.

According to the 2024 World Press Freedom Index map, 36 countries with sizable populations have been identified as particularly dangerous for journalists. Among these nations, five of the world’s most populous countries, including India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Russia, received poor rankings for press freedom.

Interestingly, with the exception of India, all of these countries held elections either in 2023 or the early months of 2024. However, instead of improving the situation, the elections in these countries further exacerbated press freedom violations, resulting in their continued placement in the lower portion of the World Press Freedom Index rankings. This highlights the need for greater efforts to protect journalism and promote press freedom globally.