Report: India part of press freedom decline.

• The report reveals a growing trust deficit in media outlets and the exploitation of independent websites.

• It also highlights the precarious situation of gig workers, who face challenges from AI.

• The report reviews press freedom in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Maldives.

• Pakistan is described as an authoritarian regime operating under the guise of democracy, with eight journalists killed in the review period.

• The report highlights the increasing impunity for crimes against journalists, with details of the murder of Mukesh Chandrakar in Bastar.

• The report also highlights the proliferation of hate speech and disinformation, with the IT cells of political parties playing a significant role.

• The legal environment for the press has become increasingly hostile, with defamation laws, sedition charges, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) used to curb media freedom.

• The report also notes the ongoing mauling of freedom of speech and expression due to national security, public order, or preventing misinformation.

• Other challenges include a shrunken job market, growing use of AI for content creation, decline in advertisement revenue, new labour codes encouraging contract work, and restructuring of corporate media houses.