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Asia-Pacific

Countries & Territories: 43

3.9 billion people

44% free

Press:

5% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia

Countries & Territories: 33

409 million people

38% free

Press:

19% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

Middle East and North Africa

Countries & Territories: 20

400 million people

2% free

Press:

1% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Countries & Territories: 50

901 million people

13% free

Press:

5% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

Americas

Countries & Territories: 36

5.5 billion people

98% free

Press:

99% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

Western Europe

Countries & Territories: 26

489 million people

85% free

Press:

72% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

Fred Hiatt's Novel Nine Days is Inspired by Daughter of Imprisoned Chinese Activist

“Fiction gives us a way to think about people who will never make front page news,” stated Washington Post editorial page editor Fred Hiatt at a discussion at Freedom House of his new novel Nine Days.

We're Now Tweeting in Spanish: @FHespanol

Freedom House is proud to announce the launch a Spanish-language Twitter account: @FHespanol (www.twitter.com/fhespanol) and we look forward to sharing our insights with Latin American audiences.

Images of Repression & Freedom: Freedom House 2nd Annual Photo and Art Auction

Join us for an evening of wine, hors d'oeuvres, and a photo auction in support of Freedom House. Click here to RSVP.

Chen Guangcheng on Human Rights in China

"I chose to defend human rights in China simply because I cannot maintain my silence in the face of injustice," states blind Chinese activist and self-taught lawyer Chen Guangcheng in an interview with Freedom House.

Video Release: Activist Maryam Al-Khawaja on the Struggle for Human Rights in Bahrain

To commemorate the two-year anniversary of the Bahrain uprisings on February 14, Freedom House released our new video, in which...

'No Más!' Campaign

Today, more than 2 billion people live under oppressive rule. We can change the world when we speak up.
What will you say 'No Más' to?

You can help us move freedom forward around the globe.

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News & Updates

Upcoming Event: Inside Media: The Scoop on Global Press Freedom

May 1 2013 - 11:00am to 12:00pm

Photo Credit: NS Newsflash

Freedom House invites you to a discussion on the state of global press freedom as evidenced by the newly released findings of its annual global index, Freedom of the Press 2013. Be the first to hear how the landscape for media has changed over the past year.

Upcoming Event: Internet Freedom in Latin America: Key Threats and Opportunities

Apr 25 2013 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Freedom House along with co-sponsors Hack Hackers Mexico, the International Center for Journalists, and the Graduate Program for Journalism and Public Affairs at the Center for Research and Teaching Economics (CIDE) invites you to a regional conversation about internet freedom in Latin America.

Freedom Alert

Correa Continues Assault on Freedom of Expression in Ecuador

Apr 19 2013 - 9:33am

The recent sentencing of an Ecuadorian National Assembly member and two prominent political activists for allegedly slandering President Rafael Correa constitutes a grave violation of free speech rights. Freedom House calls on the Ecuadorian government to cease its lawsuits against public figures and government critics.

Issues:

Civil Society, Freedom of Expression, Rule of Law

Regions:

Americas

Freedom Alert

Swaziland Court Judgment Violates Freedom of Expression

Apr 19 2013 - 10:08am

The recent sentencing of a prominent journalist in Swaziland is a blatant disregard for the constitutionally protected right to freedom of expression and is emblematic of King Mswati’s autocratic rule. Freedom House calls upon the government of Swaziland to withdraw all charges against Bheki Makhubu and stop its continued attack on its citizens’ political rights and civil liberties.

Issues:

Civil Society, Freedom of Expression, Media Freedom, Rule of Law

Regions:

Sub-Saharan Africa

Latest Blog Post

At Last, a Serious UN Inquiry into North Korea’s Reign of Evil

Arch Puddington

April 22, 2013

Last month, the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted a resolution establishing a Commission of Inquiry (COI) to look into conditions in North Korea. Given Pyongyang’s recent nuclear bombast and its loud threats to reduce South Korea to rubble and chase the United States from the region, it is no wonder that a human rights investigation of this kind has received little attention. There are, however, reasons to welcome the new effort to come to grips with North Korea’s regime of domestic repression.

Issues:

Civil Society, Human Rights Defense, Internet Freedom, Media Freedom, United Nations

Regions:

Asia-Pacific

In the News

Politics and Media in Georgia – A Partisan View

Apr 22 2013 - 1:59pm

Despite the recent change in leadership, Georgian media seems unlikely to develop non-partisan reporting in the near future, argues Katherin Machalek in a piece for The Fair Observer.

Issues:

Civil Society, Media Freedom

Regions:

Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia

China Media Bulletin