Free Speech is under attack.We must defend it.

We track censorship and threats to freedom of speech as they happen, explain the rights you hold, and show the tools that keep your voice connected.

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RSF 2026: over half of the world's countries now rate "difficult" or "very serious" for press freedom, a 25-year low. See the ranking

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The latest headlines on censorship and free expression, from the open GDELT news index.

Free speech index by country

Which countries are freest, and which are least? The most cited global ranking is the RSF World Press Freedom Index, which scores 180 countries. Press freedom is a major part of free expression, not the whole of it.

52.2%of countries rated "difficult" or "very serious" in 2026, up from 13.7% in 2002

<1%of the world's people live in a country rated "good" for press freedom

100of 180 countries saw their press-freedom position decline this year

110countries where the legal indicator worsened, the sharpest fall of the five measured

Selected rankings, 2026

Source: RSF World Press Freedom Index 2026 (rsf.org), published April 2026. Selected countries only; rank 1 is best. Related measures include Freedom House's Freedom in the World report. Countries move every year, so check the source for the full list.

Is your news source biased?

A free press needs readers who can weigh sources. Type any outlet to check its rating on independent bias-rating sites.

News outlet

Check on AllSides Check on Media Bias/Fact Check

Bias is not the same as accuracy. A source can lean left or right and still report facts carefully, and ratings are judgements by the rating sites. Read several outlets across the spectrum.

How to read a rating

Look at both a bias score and a factual-reporting score where the site gives one. Check who funds the outlet, who owns it and whether it separates news from opinion.

Who sets the rules for online speech

Online speech is shaped by regulators and by the platforms' own rules. Two names keep coming up.

Regulator

Dame Melanie Dawes and Ofcom

Dame Melanie Dawes is Chief Executive of Ofcom, the UK communications regulator. Ofcom enforces the Online Safety Act, passed in October 2023, which puts duties on online services to protect users, especially children, from illegal and harmful content.

Supporters say it makes platforms accountable. Critics warn of vague definitions, privacy costs and over-removal of lawful speech. Ofcom says it will not act as a censor of individual posts.

Ofcom online safety

Platform

Vijaya Gadde and Twitter

Vijaya Gadde led legal, policy and trust and safety at Twitter and became a central figure in debates over how large platforms moderate speech. She left the company after its 2022 acquisition by Elon Musk, and her decisions were examined in the "Twitter Files" releases.

Her supporters see careful rule-making under pressure. Her critics see unaccountable power over public debate. Both views are part of the free-speech argument.

Know your rights

Protection is real but varies by country and has limits. Pick a region.

Can the government punish me for what I say?

In democracies, only within narrow limits set by law. A restriction should pursue a legitimate aim and be proportionate.

Can a platform remove my post?

Usually yes, because private platforms set their own rules. It becomes a free-speech concern when governments pressure platforms to remove lawful speech.

What if my content is taken down?

Save a copy and a screenshot, note the stated reason, use the appeal process, and contact a digital-rights group or lawyer if a government request is involved.

General information, not legal advice.

How overreach works

Censorship rarely arrives announced. It starts with a reasonable goal and expands.

Vague laws

Terms like "harmful" or "misinformation" give officials wide discretion over what is lawful to say.

Platform pressure

Governments push private companies to remove lawful speech, so no law is ever visibly passed.

Surveillance

People who think they are watched self-censor. Weakening encryption affects everyone, not just suspects.

Network control

Site blocks, throttling and internet shutdowns cut off speakers and audiences together.

Test every proposal: who decides what is banned, can it be appealed, and would you accept this power in your opponents' hands?

Encrypted communication and free speech tools

Encryption keeps your messages readable only by you and the person you send them to. Pair it with the right network and platform choices. Use these legally and know your local rules.

Encrypted messaging

End-to-end encrypted apps such as Signal protect message content. Metadata and your phone number may still be visible.

signal.org

Encrypted email

Private email and storage with end-to-end encryption, so the provider cannot read your messages.

See providers

VPNs

Encrypt your connection and hide your location from your ISP. Pick an audited no-logs provider.

Compare VPNs

Tor Browser

Free, open-source, routes traffic through several relays for stronger anonymity. Slower than a VPN.

torproject.org

Open social networks

Decentralised networks such as Mastodon and Bluesky mean no single company controls everything. They still have moderation.

joinmastodon.org

Password managers

Strong, unique passwords protect the accounts you publish and organise with.

See options

Choosing a free speech platform

"Free speech" platforms still set rules, so read the terms. Check who owns and funds the platform, how it handles government requests, and whether you can export your followers.

Own your audience. A newsletter list survives any platform ban.

Join our newsletter

Where encryption is contested

Some governments want access to encrypted messages for law enforcement. Security experts warn a backdoor for one party is a weakness for all. We track these proposals in our alerts.

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