How to Protect Freedom of Expression
State of the Union Report
- Top-ranked countries Norway, Finland, and Sweden score 94–96% on the Freedom of Expression Index.
- The United States ranks 23rd globally with a freedom of expression score of 71%.
- Freedom House rated the U.S. as "Free" overall in 2023, but noted increasing threats from political pressure on journalists and social media censorship debates.
- Norway leads globally through constitutional protections reinforced by strong institutional norms and full independence of its press and judiciary.
- The U.S. spends approximately $1.35 per capita on public broadcasting, compared with $99 in Norway and $80 in Germany.
- Over 70% of the world's population lives in countries with significant restrictions on freedom of expression.
- Countries with the highest scores combine strong legal protections, independent media, and robust anti-defamation frameworks.
Section 1: Top 35 Countries with the Highest Freedom of Expression
Data Source: Based on Gallup World Poll and Freedom House surveys (2023 data).
| Rank | Country | Freedom of Expression Score (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norge (Norway) | 96% |
| 2 | Suomi (Finland) | 95% |
| 3 | Sverige (Sweden) | 94% |
| 4 | Danmark (Denmark) | 93% |
| 5 | New Zealand | 92% |
| 6 | Suisse or Schweiz (Switzerland) | 91% |
| 7 | Canada | 90% |
| 8 | Australia | 89% |
| 9 | Portugal | 87% |
| 10 | Nederland (Netherlands) | 86% |
| 11 | Deutschland (Germany) | 85% |
| 12 | Éire (Ireland) | 84% |
| 13 | Belgique (Belgium) | 83% |
| 14 | Österreich (Austria) | 82% |
| 15 | United Kingdom | 81% |
| 16 | République française (France) | 80% |
| 17 | España (Spain) | 79% |
| 18 | Chile | 76% |
| 19 | Česko (Czech Republic) | 75% |
| 20 | 日本 Nippon (Japan) | 74% |
| 21 | 한국 Hanguk (South Korea) | 73% |
| 22 | Uruguay | 72% |
| 23 | United States | 71% |
| 24 | Italia (Italy) | 70% |
| 25 | Argentina | 69% |
| 26 | 台灣 (Taiwan) | 68% |
| 27 | Costa Rica | 67% |
| 28 | Polska (Poland) | 65% |
| 29 | Slovensko (Slovakia) | 64% |
| 30 | Suid-Afrika (South Africa) | 63% |
| 31 | Ghana | 62% |
| 32 | Jamaica | 61% |
| 33 | Moldova | 60% |
| 34 | România | 59% |
| 35 | България Balgariya (Bulgaria) | 58% |
Source: Gallup World Poll, Freedom House Freedom in the World 2023 Report; RSF World Press Freedom Index 2023. Data year: 2023.
The United States ranks 23rd among the top 35 countries with the highest Freedom of Expression, with a score of 71%. While the United States has strong constitutional protections for free speech under the First Amendment, its ranking reflects challenges including increasing political polarization, concerns about media consolidation, growing restrictions on protest activities at the state level, and digital platform moderation practices that disproportionately affect certain viewpoints.
In 2023, Freedom House rated the United States as 'Free' with a score of 83/100 overall, but noted increasing threats to freedom of expression through political pressure on journalists and social media censorship debates. The U.S. score of 71% on freedom of expression specifically reflects these nuanced pressures.
References and Sources for Section 1:
Gallup World Poll: (www.gallup.com)
Freedom House - Freedom in the World: (freedomhouse.org)
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Press Freedom Index: (rsf.org)
V-Dem Institute - Liberal Democracy Index: (www.v-dem.net)
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Better Life Index: (www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org)
Section 2: What Other Countries Have Done to Increase Their Freedom of Expression
Table: The 8 Top Rated Countries with the Highest Freedom of Expression
| Rank | Country | Freedom of Expression Score (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norge (Norway) | 96% |
| 2 | Suomi (Finland) | 95% |
| 3 | Sverige (Sweden) | 94% |
| 4 | Danmark (Denmark) | 93% |
| 5 | New Zealand | 92% |
| 6 | Suisse or Schweiz (Switzerland) | 91% |
| 7 | Canada | 90% |
| 8 | Australia | 89% |
Section 2: What Other Countries Have Done to Increase Their Freedom of Expression
Norge (Norway)
Norge consistently ranks first in global freedom of expression indices.
The Norge government enacted the Freedom of Expression Commission's recommendations in 2022, which broadened constitutional protections for political speech, artistic expression, and digital communications.
The Norge Media Authority (Medietilsynet) promotes press pluralism and independence through direct funding grants to small regional outlets.
Norge's Action Plan Against Hate Speech (2020-2023) distinguished between protected political speech and prosecutable hate speech, creating clear legal boundaries.
The Norge Press Complaints Commission (PFU) operates independently of government to self-regulate media.
Organizations: Norge Ministry of Culture and Equality (www.regjeringen.no); Norge Media Authority (www.regjeringen.no); (www.medietilsynet.no)
Press Complaints Commission (pfu.no).
Suomi (Finland)
Suomi has embedded freedom of expression protections in Section 12 of its Constitution.
The Finnish Broadcasting Company (Yle) operates with editorial independence enshrined in law, with guaranteed public funding through a dedicated broadcasting tax that is shielded from annual budget negotiations.
Suomi's Digital Services Act implementation includes national rules requiring transparent content moderation appeals for Finnish users.
The Suomi Centre for Media Education and Audiovisual Media (MEKU) runs media literacy programs in all schools.
The Suomi Ministry of Justice has established an Anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) task force to protect journalists from frivolous litigation.
Organizations:
Ministry of Justice Suomi (oikeusministerio.fi);
Yle Public Broadcasting (yle.fi); MEKU (yle.fi). (www.meku.fi)
Sverige (Sweden)
Sverige's Freedom of the Press Act dates to 1766, making it the world's oldest law protecting press freedom, and it holds constitutional status.
Sverige's Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression (1991) extended these protections to broadcast and digital media.
The Sverige Press and Broadcasting Authority (MPRT) enforces rules on media ownership concentration to prevent monopolization.
Sverige's Whistleblower Protection Act (2021) provides among the strongest legal protections in the world for public sector whistleblowers.
The Sverige International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) funds global free expression projects.
The Sverige Institute established the Free Press Unlimited partnership with international NGOs.
Organizations:
MPRT (www.mprt.se); SIDA (www.mprt.se); (www.sida.se)
Swedish Press Ombudsman (po.se).
Danmark (Denmark)
Danmark 's Media Agreement 2022-2025 allocated significant public funds to independent journalism while maintaining editorial separation from government.
The Danmark Broadcasting Corporation (DR) operates under a public service contract that explicitly prohibits government interference in editorial decisions.
Danmark pioneered the Digital Media Literacy National Strategy (2019), integrating critical media consumption into the national school curriculum from grades 1 through 12.
The Danmark Arts Foundation funds independent journalism projects and investigative reporting. Danmark enacted specific protections for journalists' confidential sources in its Administration of Justice Act.
Organizations:
DR (www.dr.dk); Danish Arts Foundation (www.dr.dk); (www.kunst.dk)
Danmark Press Council (pressenaevnet.dk).
New Zealand
New Zealand enacted the Media Freedom Bill in 2023, which created a formal independent complaints body for both print and digital media.
The New Zealand Law Commission completed a comprehensive review of defamation law recommending a public interest defense and anti-SLAPP provisions. NZ On Air funds public interest journalism through competitive grants independent of editorial direction.
The Broadcasting Standards Authority adjudicates complaints independently.
New Zealand's Human Rights Commission runs the 'Tūtohutia' program supporting marginalized voices in public discourse.
The New Zealand Press Council updated its digital media guidelines to cover social media publications.
Organizations:
NZ On Air (www.nzonair.govt.nz);
Broadcasting Standards Authority (www.bsa.govt.nz);
NZ Press Council (www.presscouncil.org.nz).
Schweiz (Switzerland)
Schweiz's Federal Council approved the Indirect Media Support package in 2022, providing targeted subsidies for online and print media without government editorial influence.
Schweiz's direct democracy model—allowing citizens to propose constitutional amendments through referendums—creates structural protection for free expression.
The Schweiz Press Council (Presserat) operates as an independent self-regulatory body.
Schweiz's Federal Supreme Court has consistently ruled against prior restraint in media cases.
The Schweiz Federal Office of Communications (BAKOM) enforces pluralism requirements for broadcast licenses.
Schweiz hosts several international free expression NGOs, including the International Federation of Journalists regional office.
Organizations:
BAKOM (www.bakom.admin.ch);
Swiss Press Council (presserat.ch);
Federal Supreme Court (www.bger.ch).
Canada
Canada's Online News Act (2023) requires major digital platforms to compensate Canadian news publishers for content use, supporting local journalism sustainability.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) enforces content diversity requirements for broadcasters.
Canada's Anti-SLAPP legislation (Protection of Public Participation Act) has been adopted in Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec.
The Canadian Press Freedom Act (proposed) would strengthen protections for journalists' sources.
The Public Policy Forum runs the Future of Local News initiative with industry and government partnerships.
Journalism schools at Carleton University and Ryerson University have launched dedicated free expression clinics.
Organizations:
CRTC (www.crtc.gc.ca);
Canadian Journalism Foundation (cjf-fjc.ca);
Centre for Free Expression, Toronto Metropolitan University (cfe.torontomu.ca).
Australia
Australia's News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code (2021) was a global first, requiring Facebook and Google to negotiate commercial agreements with Australian news publishers.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) enforces content standards.
Australia's National Security Legislation Amendment Act has been criticized for creating journalist shield law gaps, and the Senate's inquiry into press freedom resulted in 2020 recommendations that led to new shield law protections in the Evidence Amendment (Journalists' Privilege) Act.
The Australian Press Council updated its Standards of Practice to include digital native publications.
The Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas provides independent funding for public interest journalism.
Organizations:
ACMA (www.acma.gov.au);
Australian Press Council (www.presscouncil.org.au);
Judith Neilson Institute (www.jninstitute.org).
Source: Gallup World Poll and Freedom House 2023 Data
Section 3: What the United States Could Do to Increase Its Freedom of Expression
The United States, ranked 23rd globally with a freedom of expression score of 71%, faces several structural and political challenges that limit the full realization of its First Amendment promise. To improve its standing, the United States could pursue a comprehensive, multi-pronged strategy involving legislative reform, judicial clarification, executive action, and private sector accountability.
First, Congress could enact a federal Anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) statute that applies uniformly in all federal courts and provides a model for states. Twenty-eight states currently have some form of anti-SLAPP protection, but the inconsistency creates unequal protection for journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens. A federal law could include mandatory early dismissal of frivolous suits, fee-shifting provisions, and enhanced damages for bad-faith SLAPP filers.
Second, Congress could strengthen federal shield law protections for journalists, ensuring reporters cannot be compelled to reveal confidential sources in federal proceedings. The current patchwork of state shield laws leaves national security journalism vulnerable to federal grand jury subpoenas. The PRESS Act, introduced multiple times in Congress, would create a federal reporter's privilege aligned with best international practices from Canada, Deutschland, and Sverige.
Third, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) could update its media ownership rules to prevent further consolidation of local news markets and require transparent ownership disclosure for all licensed broadcasters. Local news desert conditions across much of rural America reduce citizens' access to information necessary for informed democratic participation.
Fourth, digital platform accountability could be addressed through reform of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act to require transparent, consistent, and appealable content moderation decisions. Platforms could be required to publish quarterly transparency reports detailing takedown decisions, appeals outcomes, and political content demotion practices.
Fifth, public media investment could be substantially increased. The United States spends approximately $1.35 per capita on public broadcasting, compared with $27 in Canada, $80 in Deutschland, and $99 in Norge. A substantial increase in CPB funding, with independence protections embedded in statute, would support trusted, non-commercial journalism in underserved communities.
Sixth, federal whistleblower protections could be expanded and strengthened. The current framework under the Whistleblower Protection Act has significant gaps, particularly for national security whistleblowers and private sector employees. Alignment with international standards from Australia and the European Union's Whistleblower Directive would significantly improve protections.
Seventh, civic education and media literacy could be embedded in national education standards. Countries like Suomi and Sverige have demonstrated that robust media literacy education reduces susceptibility to disinformation and increases public confidence in independent journalism. Federal legislation could provide grants to states developing comprehensive media literacy curricula.
Section 4: References
The following references were used in Sections 2 and 3 of this document:
Freedom House - Freedom in the World 2023: (freedomhouse.org)
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) World Press Freedom Index: (rsf.org)
Gallup World Poll - Global Freedom Survey: (www.gallup.com)
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ): (cpj.org)
PEN America - Freedom of Expression: (pen.org)
Australian Communications and Media Authority: (www.acma.gov.au)
CRTC Canada: (www.crtc.gc.ca)
Norwegian Media Authority: (www.medietilsynet.no)
Swedish Press and Broadcasting Authority (MPRT): (www.mprt.se)
Federal Communications Commission (FCC): (www.fcc.gov)
ACLU - Free Speech: (www.aclu.org)
V-Dem Institute: (www.v-dem.net)
National Public Radio (NPR) / CPB: (www.cpb.org)
Society of Professional Journalists - PRESS Act: (www.spj.org)
Electronic Frontier Foundation - Section 230: (www.eff.org)
Section 5: U.S. Organizations Advocating to Improve Freedom of Expression
| Organization Name | Contact Information | Primary Activity in This Area |
|---|---|---|
| American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) |
www.aclu.org (212) 549-2500 |
Nation's leading civil liberties organization defending the First Amendment right to freedom of expression through litigation, legislation, and public education. Has won landmark Supreme Court cases protecting freedom of expression including those involving flag burning, hate speech, and political protest. |
| Reporters Without Borders (RSF) — U.S. |
rsf.org rsf@rsf.org |
International NGO defending freedom of information and expression globally, publishing the annual World Press Freedom Index and advocating for protections for journalists and whistleblowers. Monitors and documents threats to free expression including censorship, anti-press legislation, and legal harassment of journalists and citizen reporters. |
| PEN America |
pen.org info@pen.org (212) 334-1660 |
Organization of writers, journalists, and editors defending freedom of expression domestically and internationally through advocacy, documentation of violations, and direct support for threatened writers. Publishes the annual Freedom to Write index, advocates against campus speech codes, book bans, and anti-press legislation. |
| Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) |
www.eff.org info@eff.org (415) 436-9333 |
Digital rights organization defending freedom of expression online through litigation, advocacy, and technology development. Has defended online anonymity, end-to-end encryption, and the right to link as forms of protected expression, winning cases that defined the First Amendment in the digital era. |
| Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University |
knightcolumbia.org knight@columbia.edu |
Research and litigation center defending the freedoms of speech and the press in the digital age through strategic litigation and First Amendment scholarship. Has litigated landmark cases on government social media blocking, algorithmic speech, and press freedom that are defining the First Amendment for the 21st century. |
| Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) |
www.thefire.org fire@thefire.org (215) 717-3473 |
Nonprofit defending civil liberties — especially free speech — on college campuses through litigation, public campaigns, and research, publishing the annual College Free Speech Rankings. Has successfully challenged speech codes and viewpoint discrimination at hundreds of universities, protecting freedom of expression in educational settings. |
| Article 19 |
www.article19.org info@article19.org |
International organization defending freedom of expression and information in law and practice, publishing legal analyses and advocacy reports used by UN treaty bodies and domestic courts. Works with U.S. partners on digital expression rights, anti-SLAPP legislation, and whistleblower protections as tools for strengthening free expression. |
Section 6: Individuals Advocating to Improve Freedom of Expression
| Name, Title & Contact | Selected Publications on Freedom of Expression |
|---|---|
| Floyd Abrams, JD Senior Counsel, Cahill Gordon and Reindel LLP; Leading First Amendment Attorney |
(1) "Speaking Freely: Trials of the First Amendment," Viking Press, 2005 — Personal account of landmark free expression cases including the Pentagon Papers and other high-stakes free speech litigation that defined the scope of First Amendment protections.. (2) "The Soul of the First Amendment," Yale University Press, 2017 — Argued for a robust, near-absolute interpretation of First Amendment protections for freedom of expression and explained why the U.S. model, while controversial, best protects democratic discourse.. (3) "Friend of the Court: On the Front Lines with the First Amendment," Yale University Press, 2013 — Documented the litigation strategy behind major First Amendment victories and argued that strong judicial protection of free expression is the ultimate bulwark against government censorship.. |
| Nadine Strossen, JD John Marshall Harlan II Professor Emerita of Law, New York Law School; Former President, ACLU nadine.strossen@nyls.edu |
(1) "Hate: Why We could Resist It with Free Speech, Not Censorship," Oxford University Press, 2018 — Argued that suppressing hateful expression through law is both unconstitutional and counterproductive, and that free speech — not censorship — is the most effective tool for combating extremist ideology.. (2) "Defending Pornography: Free Speech, Sex, and the Fight for Women's Rights," New York University Press, 2000 — Applied First Amendment principles to defend sexually explicit speech from censorship, arguing that free expression protections must be universal to be meaningful.. (3) "Freedom of Speech: It Protects Us All," TED Talk, 2018 — Accessible case for robust freedom of expression as a protection for minority viewpoints and marginalized communities, challenging the view that hate speech laws protect vulnerable groups.. |
| Geoffrey R. Stone, JD Edward H. Levi Distinguished Service Professor, University of Chicago Law School gstone@law.uchicago.edu |
(1) "Perilous Times: Free Speech in Wartime — From the Sedition Act of 1798 to the War on Terrorism," W.W. Norton, 2004 — Historical analysis of how free expression has been suppressed during wartime and the constitutional principles required to protect it during national security crises.. (2) "Sex and the Constitution: Sex, Religion, and Law from America's Origins to the Twenty-First Century," Liveright Publishing, 2017 — Traced the evolution of constitutional protections for expressive freedom involving sexuality and religion from the founding to the present.. (3) "Democracy and Equality: The Enduring Constitutional Vision of the Warren Court," Oxford University Press, 2020 — Analyzed the Warren Court's expansion of free expression protections and argued for their continuing relevance to democratic self-governance.. |
| Evelyn Aswad, JD Professor of Law, University of Oklahoma College of Law; Former State Department Human Rights Expert easwad@ou.edu |
(1) "The Role of the U.S. Government in Transitioning to Private Governance of Online Harassment," Ohio State Law Journal, 2019 — Examined the legal and policy framework for online platform content moderation as a form of private governance affecting freedom of expression.. (2) "Losing the Freedom to Be Human," Columbia Human Rights Law Review, 2013 — Analyzed how surveillance laws erode freedom of expression through chilling effects, examining the relationship between privacy and expressive freedom.. (3) "Business and Human Rights Implications of Regulating Online Content as a Human Rights Issue," International Community Law Review, 2020 — Applied international human rights norms on freedom of expression to social media platform content policies, providing a framework for balancing free expression and harm prevention.. |
| Jameel Jaffer, JD Executive Director, Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University; Former Deputy Legal Director, ACLU jj2620@columbia.edu |
(1) "The Imperial Presidency and the Consequences of 9/11: Lawyers React to the Global War on Terrorism," Praeger Security International, 2007 — Documented post-9/11 government overreach into free expression and assembly and its consequences for civil liberties, informing legislative reforms to protect First Amendment rights.. (2) "The Freedoms We Lost: The Erosion of Civil Liberties in the Age of Trump," Columbia University Press, 2019 — Analyzed threats to free speech, press freedom, and dissent during the Trump era and proposed institutional safeguards to protect expressive freedom in future administrations.. (3) "Freedom of Speech in the Digital Age: New Challenges for an Enduring Right," Knight First Amendment Institute, 2021 — Outlined the principal threats to free expression in the digital information environment and proposed legal and institutional reforms to maintain robust expressive freedom online.. |
| Eugene Volokh, JD Gary T. Schwartz Distinguished Professor of Law, UCLA School of Law volokh@law.ucla.edu |
(1) "The First Amendment and Related Statutes: Problems, Cases, and Policy Arguments," Foundation Press, 2020 — Leading First Amendment casebook training law students in the doctrine, policy, and practice of free expression law, shaping the next generation of free speech lawyers and judges.. (2) "Freedom of Speech and Bad Purposes," UCLA Law Review, 2017 — Analyzed how courts evaluate the bad-intent element in restricting speech, arguing for narrow application of intent-based restrictions to preserve robust freedom of expression.. (3) "The Mechanisms of the Slippery Slope," Harvard Law Review, 2003 — Analyzed how allowing minor restrictions on expression leads incrementally to major limitations, informing the case for categorical rather than balancing approaches to free speech protection.. |
| Suzanne Nossel, JD Chief Executive Officer, PEN America; Author of Dare to Speak snossel@pen.org |
(1) "Dare to Speak: Defending Free Speech for All," Dey Street Books / HarperCollins, 2020 — Proposed a responsible free speech framework that defends robust freedom of expression while acknowledging its costs and the obligations of speakers to exercise their rights thoughtfully.. (2) "Free Speech Under Pressure: The Illiberal Left's Assault on the First Amendment," Foreign Affairs, 2018 — Analyzed campus and institutional pressures on free expression from progressive movements and argued that defending free speech for all is a core progressive value, not a conservative one.. (3) "Smart Power: How to Build the Bridge Between America's Values and Its Interests," Basic Books, 2012 — Proposed a foreign policy framework integrating freedom of expression and press freedom as both American values and national security interests requiring active diplomatic defense.. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country ranks highest in freedom of expression and why?
Norway consistently ranks first in global freedom of expression indices. Key factors include its 2022 constitutional reforms broadening protections for political, artistic, and digital speech, an independent press complaints commission, and government funding to support small regional media outlets.
Where does the United States rank in global freedom of expression?
The United States ranks 23rd among the top 35 countries with the highest freedom of expression, with a score of 71%. Despite strong First Amendment protections, challenges include political polarization, media consolidation, state-level protest restrictions, and debates over digital platform content moderation.
How does Finland protect freedom of expression?
Finland enshrines freedom of expression in Section 12 of its Constitution and funds public broadcaster Yle through a dedicated broadcasting tax shielded from annual budget politics. Finland also runs national media literacy programs and has established an Anti-SLAPP task force to protect journalists from frivolous lawsuits.
What is an Anti-SLAPP law and how does it protect free expression?
Anti-SLAPP laws protect individuals and journalists from Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation, which are frivolous legal actions designed to silence criticism through costly litigation. Finland's Ministry of Justice has established a dedicated Anti-SLAPP task force to shield journalists and public commentators from such legal intimidation.
How old is Sweden's press freedom law and what makes it significant?
Sweden's Freedom of the Press Act dates to 1766, making it the world's oldest law protecting press freedom, and it holds full constitutional status. Sweden later extended these protections to broadcast and digital media through its 1991 Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression.
What policy tools do high-ranking countries use to sustain media independence?
Leading countries use a combination of constitutional protections, dedicated public broadcasting funding insulated from political budget cycles, independent regulatory bodies, media ownership concentration rules, media literacy education, and transparent content moderation requirements under frameworks like the EU Digital Services Act.
About the Author
Ronald Bonfilio has devoted his career to public service spanning more than five decades. His service began with the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968, where he conducted medical laboratory research at Fort Detrick and at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. He subsequently held a distinguished series of federal positions, including roles with the National Cancer Institute, the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Agency for International Development (Vietnam), the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, and the U.S. State Department (Iraq), where he served as a Senior Economic Advisor and Agricultural Advisor. He also served 15 years with the U.S. Government Accountability Office as a Program Analyst and Auditor.
Ronald Bonfilio holds a degree in Economics from the University of Maryland, and degrees in Chemistry and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts. He is a former Certified Public Accountant.