In contrast to a small percentage of the global population living in areas with satisfactory press freedom, more than half of the world’s population resides in regions with significant restrictions on journalistic freedom. Journalists in these areas face potential risks to their safety and freedom. 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.
It is concerning to note that despite holding elections in many of these countries either in 2023 or early 2024, press freedom violations continued to exacerbate. Only India stood out among these nations as an exception. Despite this, it is essential to recognize that all five of the world’s most populous countries received poor rankings for press freedom. These findings highlight the need for greater efforts to protect journalists and promote free speech worldwide.