Record Number Of Journalists Were Killed In India During 2013---Global Press Freedom Index

The 2014 World Press Freedom Index report says that in India a record number of eight journalists and one media worker were killed in 2013. Half of these deaths were premeditated reprisals. "This was twice the 2012 death toll and more than the death toll in Pakistan." The report said adding criminal organisations, security forces, demonstrators and armed groups all pose a threat to India's journalists. The violence and the resulting self-censorship is encouraged by the lack of effective investigation by the local authorities, who are often quick to abandon them, and inaction on the part of federal authorities. India's ranking in he index is 140. However, Pakistan is still to be considered a dangerous country for the journalists too, as a latest report by Paris-based Reporters Without Border said that seven Pakistani journalists were killed in 2013 in the line of duty. The report said that out of seven journalists who were murdered in connection with their work four died in Balochistan. The annual report blamed Pakistan government for its inability tp provide justice, saying that government seems powerless against the Taliban, Jihadis and other armed groups. In view of the above reasons, Pakistan's position in the latest global press freedom index stayed at 158 out of 180 countries. The report termed a grim year for freedom of information in Bangladesh as well. Independent bloggers, especially those covering the trials of former political leaders accused of war crimes during 1971 war, have been he target of constant physical attacks since February. Bangladesh's ranking is 146. Countries that pride themselves of democracies and respecting the rule of law have not set an example, far from it. Freedom of information is too often sacrificed overly broad and abusive interpretation of national security needs, making a disturbing retreat from democratic practices. Investigative journalists often suffer as a result. This has been the case in the United states (46th), which fell 13 places, one of the most significant declines, amid increased efforts to track down the whistleblowers and the the sources of Leaks. The trial and the conviction of Private Bradley Manning and the pursuit of NSA analyst Edward Snowden were warning to all those thinking of assisting in the disclosure of sensitive information that would clearly be in the public interest.