UN Report Warns Global Freedom of Expression Declined 10% Since 2012

UN Report Warns Global Freedom of Expression Declined 10% Since 2012
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The United Nations has warned that freedom of expression and press freedom have significantly deteriorated across the globe since 2012, raising concerns about the future of democracy and independent journalism.

In a new report released Monday, May 11, UNESCO said free, independent and professional journalism remains essential for democratic societies and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

The report, covering the period between 2022 and 2025, said media freedom and pluralism are facing unprecedented political, technological and social pressures that threaten access to reliable public information around the world.

According to the findings, the global freedom of expression index compiled by V-Dem has declined by around 10% over the past decade, reflecting what the report described as a clear weakening of press freedom internationally.

UNESCO said growing political polarization, censorship, disinformation campaigns and pressure on independent media organizations have increasingly undermined media diversity and journalistic independence in many countries.

The United Nations further highlighted increasing threats against journalists worldwide, noting that female reporters continue to face disproportionate levels of harassment, intimidation and online abuse compared with their male counterparts.

Media rights organizations have repeatedly expressed concern over worsening conditions for journalists in conflict zones and authoritarian environments, where arrests, censorship and violence against reporters continue to rise.

In Afghanistan, freedom of expression has sharply deteriorated since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, with journalists and media outlets facing strict censorship, arbitrary detentions, intimidation and growing security threats.

Reporters Without Borders has previously ranked Afghanistan among the world’s most difficult countries for independent journalism, warning that severe restrictions, particularly against women journalists, have forced many media outlets to scale back operations or shut down entirely.