Srinagar: In the wake of a report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) highlighting the press freedom crisis in India, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah has acknowledged the challenges faced by journalists in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. The report ranked India 151st out of 180 countries in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, according to Kashmir Media Service.

In a statement issued in Srinagar on International Press Freedom Day, Abdullah praised the dedication of Kashmiri journalists for upholding their professional values despite various challenges. He paid tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty, saluting their courage and urging the journalistic community to continue advocating for the rights of the people.

Abdullah emphasized the critical role of a free press in a democracy. “A free press is essential for keeping citizens informed and holding those in power accountable,” he stated, underscoring that no society can truly benefit from democracy without press freedom and dignity.

The RSF report, which prompted Abdullah’s remarks, described India as a country where media ownership concentration threatens media plurality. It claimed that since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rise to power in 2014, India’s media has been in an “unofficial state of emergency.”

The report further noted that Mukesh Ambani, a prominent industrialist and close associate of Modi, owns over 70 media outlets with a reach of at least 800 million Indians. RSF also reported the rise of “Godi media,” a term used to describe media outlets that blend populism with pro-BJP propaganda, and highlighted the harassment campaigns against journalists critical of the Modi government.