NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Union government, accusing it of cracking down on journalism and eroding press freedom in India.
Taking to social media platform X on World Press Freedom Day, Stalin drew attention to India’s poor showing in the Global Press Freedom Index, where the country is ranked 151.
“India has plunged to 151 in the Global Press Freedom Index. Why?” he asked, questioning the BJP’s alleged role in the decline.
The DMK chief accused the BJP government of silencing voices that challenge its authority. “Because the BJP regime fears questions. It raids newsrooms, jails reporters, and silences those who expose corruption, rights violations, and its majoritarian agenda,” he said.
Stalin framed the decline in press freedom as a danger to democracy, calling for stronger protection for journalists and citizens alike. He stressed that the issue was not limited to mainstream media but affected every citizen’s right to information.
“On this #WorldPressFreedomDay, let us remind ourselves: without fearless journalism, democracy dies in darkness. That is why we must safeguard press freedom—not just for the media, but for every citizen’s right to know, question, and speak truth to power,” Stalin added.
India’s ranking in the World Press Freedom Index, published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), has been declining over the past five years. In 2020 and 2021, India was ranked 142 out of 180 countries. The ranking dropped to 150 in 2022, slipped further to 161 in 2023, and slightly improved to 159 in 2024.
