SL falls by 19 slots in RSF World Press Freedom Index

According to the World Press Freedom Index 2022 issued by the Paris-based campaign group - Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Sri Lanka has dropped from 127 to 146 in the rankings since last year.

Norway is leading this year's list while North Korea is at the final position of 180.

In Sri Lanka's country report, the RSF notes that 'the most independent news content comes from online networks.'

Describing the economic context, the RSF has said, "The mass media market is highly concentrated. In broadcasting, the four big firms of the sector share approximately 80% of total viewership. Political authorities exert strong influence on appointments and dismissals of editors-in-chief, whether through political friendships, control over subsidies and advertising contracts or, simply, through corruption. As a result, the most independent news content comes from online networks. Journalists who run them, however, are not exempt from pressure and intimidation."