The “mass harassment of journalists in India” is one of three “thematic campaigns” that Reporters Without Borders will focus on in 2025. 

According to a press release issued by the international non-profit yesterday, the other two campaigns are “supporting displaced and exiled journalists” and “protecting environmental journalism”. 

On why it chose to focus on India, it said: 

“Journalists are increasingly under threat, both online and offline. Cyber harassment, coordinated hate campaigns, trolls and deepfakes have become widespread tools to discredit journalists' work. In parallel, judicial harassment is frequently used as a weapon to silence these reporters. RSF is committed to investigating, exposing, and supporting these persecuted media professionals.”

The nonprofit explained that “through advocacy, assistance, editorial production, special projects and communications work, RSF alerts decision-makers and the public to key issues facing press freedom and the right to reliable information”.

Reporters Without Borders has also selected 10 “priority campaigns” for the year including on artificial intelligence and journalism, supporting journalists in conflict zones such as Ukraine and Gaza, upholding media pluralism and independence in France, and responding to press freedom obstacles under Trump. 

India last year ranked 159 out of 180 countries in the nonprofit’s Press Freedom Index. India’s rank was 161 in 2023, and 150 in 2022.

Newslaundry has consistently reported on press freedom issues in India and abroad. Check out our reportage here. 

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