A new global study on free speech has ranked India 24th out of 33 countries, highlighting the country's complex stance on freedom of expression.
The report, titled "Future of Free Speech," was conducted by an independent, nonpartisan think tank based at Vanderbilt University, USA.
The study examines public attitudes toward free speech across different nations, evaluating how much support people express for open discussions and criticism on various issues.
Scandinavian countries such as Norway, Denmark, and Sweden, along with Hungary and Venezuela, ranked highest in their support for free speech. Meanwhile, Muslim-majority countries and those in the Global South exhibited the lowest levels of support, the report found.
India received an overall score of 62.63 in the 2024 index. Notably, the study highlights that while support for free speech often aligns with actual levels of freedom of expression, India stands out as an exception. Like Hungary and Venezuela, India has a relatively low actual level of free speech compared to the public’s demand for it.
Interestingly, despite global observers suggesting a decline in free speech conditions in India, many Indians believe that the country has made significant progress in supporting free speech. South Africans share a similar perception about their own country, the report notes.
While 90% of respondents worldwide believe that criticism of the government should be allowed, India's figures fall below this median. Less than 75% of Indians support unrestricted criticism of the government, placing the country alongside Pakistan, the Philippines, and four African nations with similar attitudes.
The study also finds that while free speech enjoys broad theoretical support, opinions become more divided on statements that could be offensive to minorities, religion, or the national flag, or that support homosexual relationships.
A unique aspect of the study examines attitudes toward deepfake videos of politicians.
The findings reveal a stark contrast across countries. India, Hungary, Indonesia, Taiwan, and South Korea show the highest tolerance for deepfake content. Venezuela, Chile, France, the UK, and Germany are among the least accepting of such digital manipulations.
According to the report, opinions on deepfakes seem to follow a different pattern than other free speech topics, indicating that some countries are more open to technological experimentation in political discourse.
The Future of Free Speech report assessed free speech attitudes through multiple dimensions, including:
- Rejection of censorship in private speech, media, and the internet.
- Public attitudes on allowing sensitive speech, such as criticism of the government, religious and minority issues, LGBTQ+ support, and national symbols.
- Balancing free speech against concerns like national security and economic stability.