New Delhi, Jul 24 (PTI) Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Wednesday that the methodology used by organisations attempting to evaluate press freedom across the world is questionable and not reliable.

In a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha, Vaishnaw said some organisations have attempted evaluation of press freedom using very low sample size and with little or no understanding of the country and its vibrant democracy.

Also Read | Congress Leader Sonia Gandhi and SP's Jaya Bachchan Break Barriers With Smiles, Engage in Laughter and Jovial Conversation Outside Parliament in Rare Unexpected Display of Camaraderie (Watch Video).

"Such organisations and their methodology are questionable and not reliable," the minister said.

An international organisation had ranked India 159th out of the 180 nations considered in the 2024 edition of the press freedom index this year.

Also Read | Puja Khedkar Controversy: Delhi Police Likely To Send Notice to IAS Probationer To Join Probe in 'Fraud Case'.

Vaishnaw said the government is committed to ensure the right to freedom of speech and expression enshrined under the Article 19 of the Constitution of India.

"India has a robust and flourishing press. This is reflected in the fact that during the last 10 years from 2014-15 till date, the number of registered periodicals has gone up 43.9 per cent from 1,05,443 to 1,51,734," he said.

Similarly, the number of private satellite TV channels has also significantly gone up during this period from 821 to 910, which includes 393 news channels, the minister said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)