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.
As reported by the Guardian, 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”. The Guardian’s article continues:
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 source said: “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.”
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