Half the world’s population cannot freely speak their mind according to a new report on freedom of expression.
In its annual report, the advocate group Article 19 found the number of people facing a “crisis” in freedom of speech and information was the highest this century after a sharp rise from 34% in 2022 to 53% in 2023.
“At no point in the last 20 years have so many people been denied the benefits of open societies, like the ability to voice opinions, access a free media or participate in free and open elections,” said Article 19’s executive director Quinn McKew.
The report’s authors were particularly alarmed by deterioration in India during the past 10 years under the rule of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, changing its classification from “restricted” to “crisis”.
Ethiopia was also re-classified as in “crisis” while eight other countries also saw a deterioration in freedoms last year, including Burkina Faso, Senegal and Mongolia.
“Violations of freedoms happen every day and around the world, as leaders degrade our freedoms one by one. Many do so through subtle policy changes presented in the name of ‘public safety’, ‘morality’ or ‘national security’ – tightening the net until there is no room left to breathe,” said McKew.
The report deems a country as in crisis when its freedom of expression and information are at the worst levels, with citizens unable to express themselves freely or express dissent without punishment, and media is censored and attacked.
In Kashmir, one of the regions in the world where journalists have described harsh crackdowns on their ability to work – including the stripping of their passports and bans on exiting the country – one sourcesaid: “I think 10 times before going to any particular place because of my identity – as a Muslim and a journalist. I don’t even mention I’m a Kashmiri – that’s altogether a new game.”
They said they fear being attacked by Hindu nationalists while reporting. “It’s very hard as a Muslim reporter to go to vulnerable places now,” they said.
The source said their passport was taken by authorities, meaning they can no longer travel for reporting or training.
“It has been suffocating,” they said. “I’ve lost a lot of work. My opportunities have reduced so much that sometimes I feel like I want to leave journalism.”
While Article 19 lamented the state of freedom of expression globally, the report was hopeful about improvements in Brazil since Jair Bolsonaro was voted out of power, classifying the country now as “open” after having previously labelled it “restricted”.
Maria Trajan from Article 19 Brazil said: “Brazil’s example gives us hope that change is possible. But it’s also a reminder that rights and freedoms must never be taken for granted – the work to guarantee, strengthen and improve rights must always continue.”
The Guardian Foundation, a charity whose purpose is to promote global press freedom, and the Open Society Foundations, which contribute towards some Guardian journalism, are among the organisations and governments that donate funding to Article 19
