Pakistan has improved its position on the World Press Freedom Index by scaling up seven points.

According to the recently released data of annual World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders, Pakistan now ranks 150 out of 180 countries, whereas it stood at 157 in the previous year’s index.

The index also revealed that the situation has gone from “problematic” to “very bad” in neighbouring India.  The index discovered that India has dropped 11 positions at 161, where media takeovers by oligarchs close to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have jeopardised pluralism in the country.

Norway is ranked first for the seventh year running, while Ireland is ranked second, ahead of Denmark. The Netherlands clinched 6th position, rising 22 places.

The index further states that the worst countries in the new ranking include North Korea and Vietnam, which have almost completed their hunt of independent reporters and commentators.

The United States fell three places to 45th, in part due to a deteriorating security situation for journalists.

The data explained that traditional forms of political interference are also gaining ground in many countries, including India, where political actors are often involved in massive disinformation or propaganda campaigns.

It is pertinent to mention that Reporters Without Borders is a non-profit organization that defends and promotes freedom of information.