United States falls in support for free speech, report finds
In the report released this month, the United States, Japan and Israel showed the biggest drops in support for free speech since 2021.
While majorities in all 33 countries surveyed expressed general support for free speech on average, there was 'significant variation' across countries and within countries between different social groups.
Additionally, the report shows men in the U.S., as well as the young and middle-aged, showed declining support for free speech across different kinds of sensitive issues, including lower tolerance of statements that support homosexual relationships and insults to the American flag.
Click HERE to view the full report from The Future of Free Speech
According to the survey, the countries with the highest support for free speech were Scandinavian—Norway and Denmark—while the countries with the lowest support were Malaysia and Jordan.
The 2024 survey also showed women are generally more supportive of government restrictions on statements that are offensive to minority groups, their own religion or beliefs, or the national flag; however, they are also more tolerant toward statements that support gay relationships.
According to the survey, U.S. men, young people and college graduates have shown the 'steepest declines' in support for free speech.
Some examples given in the survey include:
Threats about hardening libel laws and stripping the broadcast license from critical media accused of airing fake news
Government requests to remove controversial content (about Covid) from social media
Laws targeting the wholesale removal of social media apps like TikTok
Continued infights about formal and informal regulation of hate speech
The banning of books from public libraries
Those examples show free speech is 'no longer a given in the US context,' the survey report read.
Rutherford County School Board votes to add prayer at meetings
Further, the report revealed the U.S. has seen the third-most decrease in support for free speech generally, slipping to ninth of 33, instead of third of 33 in 2021. Additionally, the U.S. is ranked 18th globally regarding tolerance of statements that praise homosexual relationships, the report said.
American men have seen decreased support for free speech on all issues but criticism of the government, according to the report. Women, on the other hand, have only seen a substantial decline in acceptance of insults to the American flag, per the report.
In terms of education levels, the report revealed Americans with higher levels of educational achievement generally expressed higher levels of support for free speech across different kinds of statements. The only exception, per the report, were statements that were offensive to minority groups. The amount of higher education also didn't make much difference—between a two-year or a four-year degree.
⏩
Trends since 2021 showed all educational groups expressed a higher willingness to let the government prevent sensitive statements, the report stated.
'These findings raise critical questions about the future of free speech amid shifting societal norms, rising political polarization, and rapid technological advancement. As societies grapple with balancing freedom of expression with concerns over misinformation, hate speech, and social stability, the report underscores the need for nuanced discussions and policies that protect fundamental rights while addressing emerging challenges in the digital age,' the report read.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hill
an hour ago
- The Hill
Sunday shows preview: Trump-Putin summit ends with no deal; DC resists police takeover
President Trump concluded his Friday summit in Alaska with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin by his side as the two announced no peace deal for Ukraine. The highly anticipated face-off on American soil lasted over three hours as White House aides and long-term diplomats from Moscow led bilateral discussions at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. National security aficionados said Trump signaled a stark turn in U.S. foreign policy as Putin was referenced as a 'friend' of the president. Trump's set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday at the White House following calls to show more solidarity with the Eastern European ally. Few details about the president's closed-door meeting with Putin were disclosed, however, Trump said conversations were 'extremely productive.' Secretary of State Marco Rubio flew from Washington to the Last Frontier for Russia-U.S. talks of ending the war in Ukraine. Rubio will likely address advancements made during the summit and future objectives for the Trump administration during a Sunday appearance on ABC's 'This Week' in addition to separate interviews on both Fox News' 'Sunday Morning Futures' and MSNBC's 'Meet the Press.' The secretary of state said security guarantees were necessary to finalize ceasefire negotiations and may also share updates on potential conditions for the agreement to appease both Kyiv and Moscow during the segment. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will likely hit on similar topics during his appearance on CNN's 'State of the Union' and Fox News' 'Fox News Sunday' while sharing prominent developments for peace talks after meeting with Moscow's leaders multiple times this year. Former national security adviser Jake Sullivan is likely to share insight on a strong shift from the Biden administration's approach to the conflict in Ukraine and compare the current war landscape seen under Trump during his appearance on ABC's 'This Week' and Fox News' 'Fox News Sunday.' Fiona Hill, who served as senior director for European and Russian affairs on the National Security Council during Trump's first term, will appear on CBS's 'Face the Nation.' Her comments will likely show similarities and differences between the president's attempts to coax Putin into ending the war after the Kremlin launched an invasion of Ukraine in 2014 and 2022. Hill could discuss if Putin's land grab attempts will succeed as ceasefire discussions excel and may also explain why Trump decided against secondary sanctions on Russia's trading partners amid a bipartisan push from lawmakers in Congress. As negotiations remain deadlocked overseas, the Trump administration has resumed its Washington takeover with full force. Hundreds of National Guardsmen descended on the nation's capital Monday followed by an additional deployment of soldiers from West Virginia on Saturday. The White House ordered officers with the Metropolitan Police Department to aid in local immigration enforcement efforts and crack down on crime, especially violent acts committed by youth. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has been a vocal critic of the president's immigration agenda and joined fellow Democratic lawmakers in condemning Trump's emergency order placing Washington under federal control. 'We haven't seen scenes like this in D.C. since the days after the current president incited an insurrection,' Van Hollen wrote in a Friday post on X, showcasing tanks outside of Union Station. 'What D.C. faces now is a president abusing his power and deploying troops under the guise of law and order. A dictator's playbook,' he added. The Maryland senator will likely expand upon his thoughts during an appearance on ABC's 'This Week.' These topics and more will be highlighted during this week's Sunday shows. Please see the full list of guests below: NewsNation's 'The Hill Sunday:' Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.); Rep. Jimmy Patronis (R-Fla.); Former US Ambassador to NATO Kay Bailey Hutchinson ABC's 'This Week:' Secretary of State Marco Rubio; Former National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan; Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.); Former CIA chief of Central Eurasia Division Robert Dannenberg CBS 'Face the Nation:' Secretary of State Marco Rubio; Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska); Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.); Fiona Hill, former senior director for European and Russian affairs on the National Security Council; World Central Kitchen founder Jose Andres CNN 'State of the Union:' U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff; Former Vice President Mike Pence (R) MSNBC's 'Meet the Press:' Secretary of State Marco Rubio; Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) Fox News 'Fox News Sunday:' U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff; Former National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan; Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.),
Los Angeles Times
2 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
After Trump greets Putin with red carpet treatment, Ukrainians feel betrayed
KYIV, Ukraine — In Kyiv, Ukrainians living under near daily Russian bombardment watched with astonishment as their country's most important ally rolled out a red carpet in Alaska for the man they blame for more than three years of war, bloodshed and loss. Natalya Lypei, 66, a Kyiv resident, was taken aback: The images flashing on her phone screen showed President Trump greeting Vladimir Putin warmly and clapping as the Russian leader approached him, after having been escorted into the country by four American fighter jets. Trump also ignored the arrest warrant issued for Putin by the International Criminal Court that has kept him mostly confined at home or in nations that are strong allies of Moscow. 'How can you welcome a tyrant like that?' she asked, echoing the views of many Kyiv residents. The red carpet treatment, the lack of concrete decisions for Ukraine and, most significant, neglecting the significance of sanctions — a policy that could turn the tide in Kyiv's favor — have felt like a betrayal for Ukrainians who have borne enormous suffering in the almost 3½ years since Russia's full-scale invasion. Tens of thousands of Ukrainian service members have been killed or wounded, thousands of civilians have been killed in Russian strikes, and a fifth of the country is under occupation, severing families, properties and Ukraine's territorial integrity. On Ukrainian social media, memes of Putin and Trump walking down a red carpet strewn with dead Ukrainian bodies were widely shared. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had anticipated that the meeting would be a boon for Putin and that there would be little in the way of results. Speaking to reporters in the days leading up to the summit, he said it would end up being a public relations victory for the Russian leader. Above all else, he said, Putin was seeking a photo on American soil — which he got in Friday's meeting. It was the first time in a decade that Putin had stepped foot in the U.S., ending international isolation spurred by the 2022 Ukraine invasion; in other words, it was a win. For Lypei, whose serviceman son was killed last year, it was like attending another funeral, a fresh loss. This time, she said, her country's hopes for a just peace. 'It hurts me a lot that my child died in a full-scale war, and today we saw a new funeral,' she said. Her 34-year-old son fought with Ukraine's 79th Brigade and was killed in the Donetsk region, one of the areas Putin wants Ukraine to cede to Russia as a condition for a truce. 'I do not wish anyone that sorrow, that sadness, those tears,' she said. Natalya Cucil, 60, another Kyiv resident, said she was surprised that Trump did not produce any results from the meeting, despite his stated efforts to end the war. 'There are no results and we don't know if there will be, although we always expect something and hope for it,' she said. Pensioner Anatolii Kovalenko, 72, said no matter what was discussed between the two leaders, it is clear his country's adversary has won in the sphere of public relations. 'Putin won this meeting 100%,' he said. Kullab and Babenko write for the Associated Press.
New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Printout identifying gift, menu at Trump-Putin summit left at hotel printer
WASHINGTON — An eight-page printout containing non-public information such as President Trump's gift for Vladimir Putin and their anticipated lunch menu was allegedly left at an Anchorage hotel printer hours before the high-profile Ukraine peace summit. The embarrassing snafu revealed little if any sensitive security information — as most scheduled items on the agenda for the summit on the military's Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson already were public information — but immediately became a media sensation after being reported by NPR. The formerly publicly funded news outlet reported that three guests at the four-star Hotel Captain Cook found the papers in a public printer. Advertisement 3 A US official mistakenly left planning documents for Friday's Anchorage peace talks in a public printer. REUTERS Two pages contained the menu for an ultimately aborted lunch, which was to include filet mignon with brandy peppercorn sauce and a salad with champaign vinaigrette, and a third included a seating chart with the two presidents centered around a board room-style table. Two additional pages contained the names, photos and participants of an anticipated expanded meeting between Russian and US officials — with aides instructed that the Russian leader's name is pronounced 'POO-tihn.' Advertisement It also revealed Trump intended to gift Putin was an American bald eagle desk statue, and listed three phone numbers of advance staffers who help set up the events. The White House had already published most of the scheduled events listed in the document, though much ultimately didn't happen or were abbreviated as Trump ditched his plan to seek an immediate cease-fire and instead returned to Washington optimist about brokering a full peace deal. 3 The documents contained few bombshells because most of the planned events were already announced in the daily White House schedule. REUTERS 3 Russian and US leaders ultimately left early as Trump phoned Europe to discuss a possible full peace deal rather than a cease-fire. POOL/AFP via Getty Images Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is due at the White House Monday to discuss Putin's request that he relinquish the remainder of Donetsk province in exchange for a robust international peacekeeping force including British and French troops to shield against further Russian aggression.
