Summary of Ep. 240: Is there a Global Free Speech Recession?

So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast—brought to you by FIRE, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression—hosts a compelling and insightful discussion in Episode 240 titled "Is there a Global Free Speech Recession?" Released on April 9, 2025, and hosted by Nico Perino, this episode delves deep into the current state of free speech worldwide, examining trends, challenges, and potential avenues for preservation and improvement.

1. Introduction

Nico Perino welcomes listeners to a critical examination of free speech from a global perspective. Joining him are three distinguished FIRE scholars:

• Sarah McLaughlin, FIRE’s Senior Scholar for Global Expression, author of the forthcoming book Authoritarians in the Academy.
• Jakob Mushingama, FIRE Senior Fellow and Executive Director of the Future of Free Speech Think Tank at Vanderbilt University, author of Free Speech: A History From Socrates to Social Media.
• James Kirchik, FIRE Senior Fellow, New York Times contributing opinion writer, and author of the bestseller The Secret City: The Hidden History of Gay Washington.

2. Overview of the Global Free Speech Landscape

The conversation begins with a revelation from Jakob Mushingama about the Future of Free Speech Project's recent global survey. Surveying over 52,000 individuals across 33 countries, the study assessed support for free speech policies, including the right to criticize the government, insult national symbols, and express support for same-sex relationships.

Jakob Mushingama [04:38]: “After that, my home country [Denmark].”

Surprisingly, Norway topped the list in support for free speech, followed by Denmark, Hungary, Sweden, and Venezuela. Notably, the United States experienced a significant drop, sliding from third to ninth place.

3. Survey Findings: Support for Free Speech Worldwide

Jakob elaborates on the findings, indicating that support for free speech is declining in twice as many countries as it is increasing. While established democracies generally maintain higher support, exceptions like Hungary and Venezuela present both concerning and hopeful narratives.

Jakob Mushingama [05:01]: “Overall I think there are more twice as many countries where we see decrease in support for free speech than increases.”

He highlights a troubling trend among younger generations, who tend to be less tolerant of controversial speech compared to previous generations. This generational shift poses a challenge to sustaining robust free speech protections.

4. Declining Freedom of Expression: The Democracy Report

Nico introduces FIRE's 2025 Democracy Report, "25 Years of Autocraticization. Democracy Trumped?" Drawing from a vast dataset of over 31 million data points across 202 countries from 1789 to 2024, the report underscores a dramatic decline in freedom of expression. In 2024 alone, 44 countries saw a deterioration in free speech—the highest annual record—while only eight countries reported improvements.

Sarah McLaughlin [08:51]: “Oh, absolutely. I think the numbers are clear... this kind of global recession in freedom, it affects the people in those countries, but it affects the people outside them too.”

5. The Impact of Misinformation on Free Speech

The discussion shifts to the burgeoning discourse surrounding "misinformation" and "disinformation," terms increasingly wielded to suppress unwanted speech. James Kirchik criticizes how these terms are often used subjectively to label and censor dissenting opinions.

James Kirchik [12:29]: “Right... they're obsessed with this concept of misinformation and disinformation... they want to censor people.”

Jakob adds that persistent warnings about AI-powered disinformation have not only failed to materialize as predicted but have also eroded public trust in institutions, contributing to the decline in free speech support.

6. Digital Regulations and Censorship: The Digital Services Act and AI

Nico probes into the ramifications of the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA), which mandates online platforms to swiftly remove illegal content or face hefty fines. Jakob warns that such regulations compel platforms to adopt overly restrictive policies globally to avoid compliance complexities.

Jakob Mushingama [25:20]: “It's more catastrophic for the users. Those are the people that I really care about.”

Sarah echoes concerns about companies potentially adopting the lowest common denominator approach to content moderation, stifling free expression worldwide.

7. The Role of International Broadcasting: Radio Free Europe and Voice of America

A significant portion of the conversation centers on the U.S. government's recent attempts to defund international broadcasters like Radio Free Europe (RFE) and Voice of America (VOA). James Kirchik recounts the historical importance of these organizations in combating authoritarian regimes through unfiltered information dissemination.

James Kirchik [37:49]: “Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty... it's like the biggest crime in my business.”

Jakob discusses the alarming trend of derecognizing and censoring state-sponsored media outlets and underscores the vital role these broadcasters play in maintaining free speech in repressive states.

8. Case Studies: Denmark and Europe’s Free Speech Challenges

The episode highlights Denmark’s reinstatement of blasphemy laws in 2023, amidst global pressures and internal political dynamics. Jakob criticizes this move as appeasement to extremist groups and a step back for one of the world’s most secular societies.

Jakob Mushingama [54:44]: “It's like dispensing with a dirty rag... institutionalizing the jihadist veto.”

Similarly, discussions on Sweden and the UK reveal a broader European trend towards narrowing free speech under the guise of combating hate speech and extremism, often resulting in politically motivated censorship.

9. Optimistic Signs: Popular Support and Resilient Democracies

Despite the grim global landscape, the panel identifies pockets of resilience and hope. Jakob points to Taiwan's proactive measures in developing resilient digital democracies and New Zealand's successful resistance against expanding hate speech laws post-Christchurch shooting.

Jakob Mushingama [62:09]: “Taiwan is probably the most sophisticated country in terms of thinking about how do we develop resilient digital democracies...”

Additionally, James and Sarah note rising popular support in countries like Hungary and Venezuela, where grassroots movements resist authoritarian overreach, signaling strong public backing for free speech.

10. Conclusion

The episode concludes on a somber yet cautiously optimistic note. While the global trend points towards a free speech recession, the persistence of public advocacy and resilient democratic practices in certain regions offers a glimmer of hope. The panel emphasizes the critical need for the United States to reclaim its role as a global champion of free speech to counteract authoritarianism and foster international democratic values.

Jakob Mushingama [59:55]: “Don't you see, dear Americans, what the hell are you doing right now?... If you don't remain the global champion of this value internationally, what the hell is going to happen?”

Nico Perino wraps up by acknowledging the complex challenges ahead but underscores the importance of continued vigilance and advocacy in safeguarding free expression worldwide.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Sarah McLaughlin [00:00]: “An idea that I've been really trying to combat in recent years with my writing is that just because you're in a free country doesn't mean that censorship in other countries is not going to affect you.”

• James Kirchik [12:52]: “It's just like more syllables of a word than fake news. It's really what it is.”

• Jakob Mushingama [15:46]: “You see in the U.S. you see, and again, especially younger generation, less supportive of being able to say things that's offensive to minorities...”

• James Kirchik [17:26]: “The speech, if the speech had been delivered in a debating club at a university in the United States, great. I agreed with every word.”

• Jakob Mushingama [27:11]: “It's not catastrophic for the platforms because what they do is that they just err on the side of removal.”

• Sarah McLaughlin [08:51]: “I think the numbers are clear, I think the evidence is clear, and I think we're all globally feeling the squeeze.”

• Jakob Mushingama [60:30]: “Taiwan is probably the most sophisticated country in terms of thinking about how do we Develop resilient digital democracies.”

• Jakob Mushingama [59:55]: “Don't you see, dear Americans, what the hell are you doing right now?... If you don't remain the global champion of this value internationally, what the hell is going to happen?”

Final Thoughts

Episode 240 of So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast offers a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of the global state of free speech. Through expert insights and candid discussions, the episode underscores the interconnectedness of free expression across borders and the pivotal role of democratic nations in upholding these fundamental rights. While challenges abound, the episode also highlights inspiring instances of resilience and advocacy, urging listeners to remain steadfast in the fight for free speech worldwide.