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Americans oppose restrictions, but report feeling less free to speak about political matters. Freedom of expression wins strong endorsements around the world when people are asked, say researchers, so why have protections for speech consistently slipped for over a decade? Part of the problem is that many of those surveyed embrace a convenient attitude toward […]

The Justitia Free Speech Index maps attitudes towards hot button issues such as regulation of social media, tolerance of “fake news”, hate speech and blasphemy. The Danish think tank’s research found that people in some countries think they have too much freedom. Justita’s Jacob Mchangama emails that there’s “strong support for uncensored free speech in the abstract,” but when […]

WESTERNERS TEND to regard freedom of speech as a universal good. However, a forthcoming report by Justitia, a Danish think-tank, demonstrates that public support for freedom of expression varies widely among countries, just as legal restraints on speech do. In many countries, particularly authoritarian regimes, people say they want fewer controls. But perhaps surprisingly, in […]

Social media platforms have become indispensable channels for public debate, and yet they are now rarely seen as an out-and-out benefit to democracy. Rather, they are more likely to be seen as transmitting fake news, conspiracy theories and hate. Fears are also growing that private tech companies are exercising too much power over – and […]