India ranks 24th out of 33 countries in a global survey on free speech, indicating strong public support for free speech yet low backing for government criticism. The report reveals worrying trends of decline in free speech support globally, particularly in democratic nations, while highlighting India’s unique situation of disconnect between support and protection.
A recent global survey conducted by The Future of Free Speech, an independent think tank based in the United States, ranks India 24th out of 33 nations regarding support for free speech. The report, titled ‘Who in the World Supports Free Speech?’, emphasizes that while there is substantial abstract support for free speech, commitment to protecting controversial speech is declining globally.
The survey conducted in October 2024 highlights a troubling trend, noting that more countries have experienced declines in free speech support since 2021, with notable decreases in democracies such as the United States, Israel, and Japan. The data reveals that Scandinavian nations, particularly Norway and Denmark, lead the rankings with impressive scores of 87.9 and 87.0, respectively.
Countries such as Indonesia (56.8), Malaysia (55.4), and Pakistan (57.0) have shown significant improvements but still rank lower on the index. India, with a score of 62.6, lies between South Africa at 66.9 and Lebanon at 61.8. Interestingly, some nations perceived as authoritarian, like Hungary (85.5) and Venezuela (81.8), received high scores, indicating a disconnect between governmental restrictions and public attitudes towards free speech.
The findings regarding India specifically illustrate a complex situation; while a majority of Indians assert the importance of speaking freely without government censorship, the support for criticisms of government policies ranks below the global average. The survey indicates that 37% of Indian respondents believe that governments should prevent criticisms, contrasting sharply with only 5% in the UK and 3% in Denmark who share this sentiment.
Generally, nations advocating more for free speech tend to provide more opportunities for expressive freedom; however, India stands apart from this trend. The report highlights that countries like India, Hungary, and Venezuela demonstrate a worrying disconnect between strong public support for free speech and actual legal protections, pointing to democratic backsliding in these regions that once respected political freedoms.
Respondents from India and South Africa claimed the most significant improvements in their ability to speak freely, yet many observers contend that the situation in India has deteriorated. Jacob Mchangama, Executive Director of The Future of Free Speech, notes that “free speech is more than a legal right; it depends on a culture of open debate and tolerance for dissent.” He warns that without a public commitment to free speech, even robust legal protections may become ineffective.
In summary, the survey conducted by The Future of Free Speech reveals that India ranks 24th in a global index of free speech support. While Indian citizens express a desire for free speech, the support for governmental criticism is concerningly low. Notably, India exemplifies a distinct case of democratic backsliding, wherein public support for free speech does not translate into corresponding legal protections, highlighting the complexities of free expression in contemporary society.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
