India disagrees with the findings of the foreign non-governmental organization (NGO) “Reporters Without Borders” that the country ranks 150 out of 180 countries in the Global Freedom of Freedom Index. press, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur told parliament on Tuesday.

The report, which was released in May, said India’s ranking fell to 150th from 142nd last year.

In a written response to Lok Sabha, Thakur said that “the government does not agree with its (NGO’s) views and country rankings…for various reasons including very small sample size, little or no importance given to the fundamental principles of democracy, the adoption of a methodology that is questionable and non-transparent, etc.

Thakur’s statement was in response to a question from Trinamool Congressman Mala Roy and Dravida MPs Munnetra Kazhagam, A Raja and A Ganeshamurthi, asking “if it is a fact that India ranks among the 30 worst nations out of 180, as maintained by the media watchdog. in the World Press Freedom Index.

Lawmakers from opposition parties also sought to know “whether the executive uses unlimited powers through various laws such as the National Security Act, IPC Sedition Act, UAP Act, etc. , to gag the freedom of journalists and threaten them”.

The government does not interfere in the operation of the press, Thakur said. The Press Council of India (PCI), an autonomous statutory body, was established under the Press Council Act 1978 primarily to safeguard freedom of the press and improve the standards of newspapers and news agencies of the country, he added.

It is the CPI that examines complaints filed “by the press” regarding restriction of freedom of the press, physical assaults/attacks on journalists, etc. The body is empowered to take cognizance suo-motu of issues related to press freedom and safeguarding its high standards, the Union Minister said.

“The central government attaches the utmost importance to the safety and security of all residents of the country, including journalists,” Thakur said. “A notice specifically on the safety of journalists was issued to States/UTs on October 20, 2017 asking them to strictly enforce the law to ensure the safety and security of journalists/media persons, etc.” he declares.