In Europe and Central Asia, Russia’s war against Ukraine has dominated the headlines, and eight countries are now in crisis – including Belarus, which dropped to the global bottom 10 in 2021. Attacks on journalists have increased, not least via abusive litigation – although steps are finally being taken to counter this.

Two of the most dramatic one-year score drops in the history of this data occurred in Asia and the Pacific in 2021. The military coup in Myanmar and the Taliban retaking control in Afghanistan were immediately followed by severe restrictions of freedom of expression. Nearly 90% of the region’s population now live in highly restricted or in crisis environments. 

"Arbitrary prosecution and suppression of protest have long been tools of repressive regimes in the region, but 2021 was shocking because of the devastating brutality with which they sought to control speech.” – Caroline Stover, Head of Asia Programme at ARTICLE 19 

In the Americas, activists face extreme levels of violence – as the recent murders of Indigenous expert Bruno Pereira and journalist Dom Phillips remind us. In 2021, more than 70% of murders of human rights defenders occurred in the region. The situation for activists in Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico is particularly dire. Mexico’s journalists face levels of violence comparable only to countries embroiled in active conflicts.

In Africa, for the third year running, there are no open countries; nearly half of the continent’s population live in restricted environments. In 2021, there were four military coups, plunging countries including Sudan into the 'in crisis' category. Political opposition faces major hurdles, and protests are often met with violence and Internet shutdowns.

"It’s vital that ARTICLE 19 continues to hold these governments to account, and to highlight the key role freedom of expression plays in fostering strong democracies and healthy societies. In particular, we must strengthen protections for journalists across the region.” – Mugambi Kiai, Regional Director, ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa

This year’s Global Expression Report sends a clear message: we can no longer afford to look the other way. The international community must take concrete and decisive action to protect free expression.

Thankfully, though, the Global Expression Report 2022 shows us there is still hope. People are beginning to understand the dark side of globalisation. The ideology that has privileged the freedom of markets over the freedom of people is simply not good enough.  

We see clear attempts to increase corporate transparency and to regulate the power of social media giants. 

Despite the continued threat to activists’ lives, specific protections are being put in place for the people who work to save our planet.  

Globally, 91% of people are now guaranteed the right to information by law.  

And demonstrations are growing in strength – people are resisting with incredible bravery.

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“Female journalists are disappearing from the media landscape of Afghanistan –  because they are women, because of their gender. Right now, half of the population are living in a gender regime apartheid. Women lost their very basic human rights.” – Zahra Joya 

A million-strong troll army is targeting Iran’s #MeToo women's rights activists on Instagram. ARTICLE 19 and partner human rights groups have called on Meta, the platform's parent company, to do more to protect Iranian activists and their right to freedom of expression.  

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