India Ranks 24th in Global Free Speech Index Amid Rising Concerns
India ranked 24th out of 33 countries in a free speech survey by The Future of Free Speech, reflecting strong abstract support yet low commitment to protecting controversial speech. Major declines in free speech since 2021 were noted, particularly in democratic nations. The report emphasized India’s unique position, where public support for free speech does not translate into actual protection against censorship.
A recent survey conducted by The Future of Free Speech, a U.S.-based think tank, ranked India 24th out of 33 countries regarding support for free speech. The report, titled ‘Who in the World Supports Free Speech?,’ highlights that despite a strong abstract support for free speech, there is a declining commitment to protecting controversial speech across several global democracies.
The survey, held in October 2024, indicated a troubling trend; more countries have experienced declines in free speech support since 2021, notably democratic nations like the United States, Israel, and Japan. Scandinavia led the top rankings, with Norway and Denmark achieving scores of 87.9 and 87.0 respectively. India, with a score of 62.6, ranked between South Africa (66.9) and Lebanon (61.8). Countries such as Hungary (85.5) and Venezuela (81.8) exhibited high scores despite authoritarian practices, implying a disparity between government control and public sentiment.
Findings specific to India revealed that while a majority of citizens value the importance of free speech, support for criticism of government policies is beneath the global average. Notably, 37% of Indian respondents believed that “governments should be able to prevent people” from criticizing governmental policies, the highest percentage recorded in the survey. This contrasts sharply with just 5% in the UK and 3% in Denmark.
Typically, nations endorsing free speech enjoy more freedom of expression, but India diverges from this trend. The report emphasizes significant discrepancies between popular support for free speech and its actual protection within these countries, identifying India, Hungary, and Venezuela as instances of democratic backsliding previously known for political liberties, particularly freedom of expression.
When questioned about changes in their ability to discuss political issues freely over the past year, respondents from India and South Africa reported perceived improvements. However, observers generally concur that the situation in India has deteriorated. Jacob Mchangama, Executive Director of The Future of Free Speech, concluded that real free speech extends beyond legal rights; it necessitates a culture of open dialogue and tolerance for dissent, stating, “even the strongest legal protections may become mere paper guarantees” without public commitment to free expression.
The Future of Free Speech report underlines concerning trends in free speech support, especially in India, where a majority endorse free speech yet exhibit significant support for governmental censorship. This paradox, coupled with findings suggesting deteriorating conditions for free expression, highlights a potential crisis in democratic practices. The need for a cultural commitment to defending free speech emerges as critical to ensuring that legal protections remain meaningful.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
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