The Crime Desk: Norway holds the top spot in the World Free Media Index with a score of 91.89. Bangladesh is two steps behind compared to last year. Bangladesh ranks 165th in the index. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) released the 2024 index on World Free Press Day on Friday, May 3.
The rest of the top ten countries are Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Estonia, Portugal, Ireland, Switzerland, and Germany.
Between 2021 and 2024, the position of free media in Bangladesh has fallen 13 steps. Currently, Bangladesh ranks 165 with a score of 27.64 in the index. In 2022, Bangladesh went down ten steps in the index. Compared to 2021, Seva dropped from 152 to 162 in a shock. The next year, another step down in Bangladesh.
RSF publishes this index based on the extent to which the media can operate freely in different countries around the world. The Press Freedom Index is based on five factors: politics, economy, legal protection, social, and security.
According to RSF, more than one-fifth of Bangladesh’s 169 million people live below the poverty line. And these communities have little connection with the mainstream media. However, the Internet is playing a major role in spreading news and information.
Regarding the position of media in Bangladesh, RSF says that Bangladesh’s state broadcaster Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar are being used as media for government propaganda. Privately owned media in the country include about 3,000 print media, 30 radio stations (including some community radio stations), 30 TV channels, and hundreds of news media.
In South Asia, except for Afghanistan, the condition of all other countries is better than Bangladesh. Nepal ranks best among South Asia in the index. Their position is 74th. Then the Maldives is 106th, Bhutan 147th, Sri Lanka 150th, Pakistan 152nd, and India 159th, respectively. And Afghanistan’s position is 178th.
People in Bangladesh often draw comparisons with Uganda. But Uganda’s position in the independent media index is much better than Bangladesh’s. Their position is 128th with a score of 46.
Norway holds the top position with a score of 91.89 in the index. The rest of the top ten countries are Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Estonia, Portugal, Ireland, Switzerland, and Germany.
