Free Speech

Freedom of speech, a cornerstone of a democratic society, is one of the most fundamental human rights. However, in democratic and authoritarian countries alike, this right is under threat. Journalists are being harassed, detained, and imprisoned for reporting on matters of public interest. Governments are expanding censorship laws, deploying digital surveillance, and using legal systems to target dissent. From crackdowns in autocracies to creeping restrictions in democracies, the global assault on free expression is systematic and alarmingly widespread.

According to the Global Expression Report 2024, over half of the world’s population lives in countries where free speech is in “crisis,” defined as countries where people “aren’t free to speak their minds or access information without serious consequences.” This is a marked increase from 2022, when only 34 percent of the world’s population lived in such countries. Only 15 percent of the world’s population lives in countries that are “open,” with complete freedom of expression.

Journalists are under increasing threat globally. As of December 1, 2024, at least 361 journalists were imprisoned worldwide, marking one of the highest figures ever recorded, just behind the 2022 peak of 370. This troubling number reflects the growing crackdown on press freedom among rising authoritarianism, ongoing conflicts, and deepening political and economic crises. Several countries, including China, Israel, Tunisia, Turkey and Azerbaijan, reached unprecedented levels of journalist detentions.

In more than 70 countries, laws targeting “misinformation, disinformation, or misinformation” have been used, either inadvertently or intentionally, to restrict press freedom and other human rights. Legal penalties for violating such laws include imprisonment, excessive fines, which may bankrupt media organizations, government control of content, or increased and burdensome regulatory red tape. Even in democratic nations, public trust in the media is in decline, and journalists face growing hostility and disinformation campaigns.

The internet has opened up unprecedented possibilities for free expression; however, it has also become a space of control and manipulation. Internet shutdowns have reached record levels globally, with 296 cases across 54 countries in 2024, a record high. Conflict remains the primary trigger, as authorities use tactics like cable cuts and infrastructure sabotage to block connectivity. Cross-border shutdowns are also on the rise, impacting 13 countries, including actions by Russia in Ukraine, Israel in Gaza, and Thailand and China in Myanmar. These blackouts have become a growing tool of repression, silencing communities and threatening fundamental rights.

Protecting freedom of speech means defending the right to speak, think, and challenge, even when that speech is uncomfortable, controversial, or disruptive to those in power. Securing this freedom globally demands more than vigilance; it requires bold action, principled leadership, and policies that dismantle censorship, confront abuse of power, and foster societies where dissent is not just tolerated but protected.