Why in the News?

A new global survey by The Future of Free Speech, an independent U.S.-based think tank, has ranked India 24th out of the 33 countries surveyed on the question of support for free speech.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Free Speech Index (Basics, India’s Rankings, Global Trend, Key Findings, Challenges, etc.)

India’s Ranking in Free Speech Index:

• A recent global survey by The Future of Free Speech, a U.S.-based think tank, has ranked India 24th out of 33 surveyed countries in terms of support for free speech.
• The report, titled "Who in the World Supports Free Speech?", reveals a concerning decline in the global commitments to protect controversial speech, with India being an exception where public perception and actual free speech conditions do not align.

Global Trends in Free Speech:

• The survey, conducted in October 2024, found that:

• Scandinavian countries dominate the index, with Norway (87.9) and Denmark (87.0) securing the top positions.
• Indonesia (56.8), Malaysia (55.4), and Pakistan (57.0) showed the biggest improvements despite being lower in the rankings.
• Hungary (85.5) and Venezuela (81.8), despite being authoritarian-leaning, ranked high due to public perception of free speech.

• India, with a score of 62.6, was placed between South Africa (66.9) and Lebanon (61.8).

Key Findings About Free Speech in India:

• Public Support for Free Expression vs. Reality
  • The majority of Indians believe in free speech without government censorship.
  • However, support for criticizing government policies is lower than the global average.
• Strong Support for Government Restrictions on Criticism
  • 37% of Indian respondents agreed that the government should prevent people from criticizing its policies—the highest among all surveyed countries.
  • Comparatively, this sentiment was supported by: 5% in the U.K and 3% in Denmark.
  • This suggests that a significant section of Indians favours restrictions on political speech, reflecting growing support for government control over public discourse.
• Discrepancy Between Public Perception and International Assessment
  • Indians and South Africans felt their ability to speak freely had improved.
  • However, global rankings indicate a decline in free speech protection in India, highlighting a disconnect between perception and actual conditions.
• India’s Position in Democratic Backsliding
  • The report identifies India as a country experiencing "democratic backsliding", similar to Hungary and Venezuela.
  • While free speech laws exist in principle, their enforcement is weak, and restrictions on dissent are increasing.

Challenges to Free Speech in India:

• Legal and Political Restrictions
  • India’s sedition law (Section 124A of the IPC) had been used to suppress political dissent.
    • Section 124A of the IPC, has been removed from the BNS. 
    • However, the BNS retains the essence of Section 124A in Section 152, which penalizes actions that incite secession, armed rebellion, or subversive activities, encourage separatist activities, or endanger the sovereignty or unity of India. 
  • Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) has been criticized for targeting journalists, activists, and opposition voices.
  • IT Rules 2021 give the government broad powers to regulate social media and digital content, leading to censorship concerns.
• Rise in Self-Censorship
  • Fear of legal repercussions and online harassment discourages open expression.
  • Media houses and journalists often face political and economic pressures, leading to biased reporting or avoidance of critical issues.
• Selective Tolerance for Free Speech
  • While free speech is widely supported in principle, it is often opposed when it contradicts political beliefs or religious sentiments.
  • The arrests of activists, journalists, and stand-up comedians highlight inconsistent application of free speech rights.

Way Forward:

• Reaffirming Legal Protections
  • Repealing or amending outdated laws and UAPA provisions that suppress dissent.
  • Strengthening judicial oversight to prevent misuse of laws against activists and journalists.
• Promoting a Culture of Open Debate
  • Educational institutions and media should encourage free discussion on diverse perspectives.
  • Political parties should commit to respecting free speech rights across ideological lines.
• Enhancing Digital and Media Freedom
  • Strengthening laws that protect journalists from government pressure and corporate influence.
  • Ensuring that social media regulations do not lead to arbitrary censorship.
• Aligning Public Perception with Reality
  • Raising awareness about constitutional free speech protections.
  • Encouraging fact-based discussions on government policies and political discourse.