Context : Survey Overview & Key Findings
- Conducted by: Future of Free Speech, a U.S.-based independent think tank.
- Title of Report: Who in the World Supports Free Speech?
- Period: October 2024.
- Countries Surveyed: 33.
- India’s Rank: 24th out of 33, with a score of 62.6.
Relevance : GS 2(International Relations, Democratic Rights)
Global Trends in Free Speech
- Erosion of Commitment:
- While support for free speech remains strong in principle, its practical application is weakening globally.
- Decline in Democracies:
- Since 2021, more countries have seen a decline rather than an improvement in free speech protection.
- Democratic nations like the U.S., Israel, and Japan witnessed some of the biggest drops.
- Top Performers:
- Norway (87.9) and Denmark (87.0) ranked highest in the Future of Free Speech Index.
- Biggest Improvements:
- Indonesia (56.8), Malaysia (55.4), and Pakistan (57.0) improved the most but still remained at the lower end of the ranking.
- Authoritarian-Led Anomalies:
- Nations like Hungary (85.5) and Venezuela (81.8) ranked high, despite government-imposed restrictions, showing a disconnect between government policies and public sentiment.
India’s Performance & Key Insights
- Score & Rank:
- India ranked 24th out of 33, with a score of 62.6.
- Positioned between South Africa (66.9) and Lebanon (61.8).
- Public Support vs. Government Restrictions:
- Majority of Indians believe free speech is important, but support for government criticism is below the global average.
- 37% of Indian respondents supported restricting criticism of government policies, the highest among all surveyed nations.
- In contrast:
- U.K.: Only 5% supported government-imposed restrictions.
- Denmark: Just 3% supported such restrictions.
Disconnect Between Public Sentiment & Reality
- Inconsistent Free Speech Protection:
- Nations that rank high in support for free speech generally have strong legal protections for free expression.
- However, India, Hungary, and Venezuela are exceptions, with low free speech protection despite high public support.
- The report identifies this as a sign of democratic backsliding.
- Perception vs. Observed Reality:
- Indians believe free speech has improved, but external observers and rankings indicate a decline.
- Similar trends observed in South Africa, where public perception differs from ground realities.
Implications for India
- Democratic Backsliding:
- The survey’s findings align with broader concerns of deteriorating democratic values in India.
- The high percentage (37%) of Indians favoring government control over speech may indicate a shift towards acceptance of restrictive policies.
- Legal & Policy Implications:
- Potential for increased government regulation over digital platforms, press freedom, and political expression.
- Concerns on laws like sedition, UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act), and IT Rules .
- Media & Civil Society Challenges:
- Affects journalistic independence, whistleblower protections, and freedom of academic discourse.
- Risks self-censorship among public intellectuals, activists, and media houses.
