The Latest Breaking News from Freedom House

Many once-democratic countries continue to backslide, becoming less free – but their leaders continue to enjoy popular support

Democracy is decreasing globally – and has been doing so for the last 17 years, according to 2023 findings published by the nonprofit group Freedom House, which advocates for democracy.

The Conversation · Jul 13, 2023

UN's Security Council selects 5 new members

In one of the more predictable rites of spring at the United Nations, the Security Council has elected, or actually selected, five new non-permanent members to serve on the powerful 15-member council. While this year's contest lacked some of the drama, debate and deliberation of the past, there were some…

Bangkok Post · Jun 14, 2023

Senegal's internet shutdowns are another sign of a democracy in peril

Senegal’s government began blocking several digital platforms – including Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram and YouTube – in certain areas on 1 June. Days later, it extended the disruptions to all mobile internet and several television stations.

The Conversation · Jun 13, 2023

Axios Investigates: Chinese activists' names used in bomb threats across U.S. and EU

The journalist and two activists targeted by the harassment campaign believe it is backed by Beijing.

Axios · Mar 29, 2023

20 years on, George W. Bush's promise of democracy in Iraq and Middle East falls short

President George W. Bush and his administration put forward a variety of reasons to justify the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

The Conversation · Mar 18, 2023

China Is Tweaking Its Propaganda for African Audiences

A concerted media campaign has not done much for Beijing’s image.

Foreign Policy · Mar 16, 2023

Worldwide freedom index slides for 17th consecutive year

Peru and Burkina Faso led a general global deterioration in freedom last year, but a number of other nations showed improvements, giving hope in the fight against authoritarianism, according to the US research group Freedom House.

Radio France Internationale · Mar 11, 2023

Global freedom recession may be ‘bottoming out’: Freedom House

US-based group says despite overall global decline for 17th year in 2022, net improvement may be on the horizon.

Al Jazeera · Mar 9, 2023

Thailand improves but still ‘not free’

Thailand has improved slightly in an annual assessment by Freedom House but remains “not free” overall, the US democracy research group said on Thursday.

Bangkok Post · Mar 9, 2023

Global declines in democracy may be slowing, Freedom House says in a new report

The report, "Freedom in the World 2023," finds that the gap between the number of countries where freedom has improved and where it has declined is at its narrowest in 17 years.

WEKU · Mar 9, 2023