Maldives moves up to 72nd in World Press Freedom Index

Maldives has moved up seven ranks in the 2021 World Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders.

Maldives was ranked 120^th in the 2018 Press Freedom Index, and moved up to 98^th in 2019. The country skipped 19 more ranks to reach 79th in 2020.

The 2021 Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders show Maldives has moved up seven more ranks to reach 72^nd.

Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih tweeted on Wednesday morning that he was “very proud of the big leap that Maldives has made on the World Press Freedom Index this year”.

He said that the achievement underscores his administration’s ongoing commitment to establishing a safe environment where journalists can operate independently, without bias or favor.

Very proud of the big leap that Maldives has made on the World Press Freedom Index this year, moving from 120th in 2018 to 72nd, underscoring our ongoing commitment to a safe environment where journalists can operate independently without bias or favour. https://t.co/uMMU4G0gmP

— Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (@ibusolih) April 21, 2021

Meanwhile, neighboring India ranks 142^nd in the 2021 Press Freedom Index while Sri Lanka ranks 127^th.

Norway, Finland and Sweden rank highest in the 2021 Press Freedom Index, while China and North Korea rank the lowest.