A recent global survey by The Future of Free Speech has ranked India 24th out of 33 countries in terms of support for free speech. 

Global Free Speech Index

• The Global Free Speech Index is conducted by The Future of Free Speech, an independent U.S.-based think tank.
• The Index evaluates public attitudes toward free speech across 33 countries. 
• The 2024 survey highlights global trends, regional variations, and the challenges facing free expression worldwide.

Key Highlights of the Index

• Top Performers: Scandinavian countries dominate the rankings, with Norway (87.9) and Denmark (87.0) leading the index.
• Biggest Improvements: Indonesia (56.8), Malaysia (55.4), and Pakistan (57.0) showed significant progress, though they remain at the lower end of the rankings.
• Declining Support: Many democratic nations, including the U.S., Israel, and Japan, have seen a drop in free speech support since 2021.
• Authoritarian-Leaning Nations: Countries like Hungary (85.5) and Venezuela (81.8) scored high, revealing a disconnect between government restrictions and public attitudes.

India’s Position in the Index

• Rank: 24th out of 33 countries, with a score of 62.6.
• Public Perception: Indians believe free speech has improved, but rankings and observers suggest it has worsened since 2021.
• Contradiction: While most Indians value free speech, 37% support government restrictions on criticizing policies — the highest percentage among all surveyed countries.

Global Trends and Observations

• Erosion of Commitment to Controversial Speech: While abstract support for free speech remains strong, the willingness to defend controversial or dissenting views is declining globally.Democratic Backsliding: Countries like India, Hungary, and Venezuela show a significant gap between public support for free speech and actual government protections. 
  • These nations are experiencing democratic backsliding, with declining respect for political liberties.
• Cultural vs. Legal Protections: Free speech is not just a legal right but also depends on a culture of open debate and tolerance for dissent. Without public commitment, legal protections may become ineffective.

Freedom of Speech vs. Hate Speech

• The debate between freedom of speech and hate speech revolves around the fine line between expressing opinions and inciting harm. 
• While free speech is a fundamental right, hate speech is often seen as a threat to social harmony. The challenge is balancing individual liberty with public safety and dignity.

Hate Speech

• Hate speech refers to speech that promotes violence, discrimination, or enmity against individuals or groups based on religion, caste, ethnicity, gender, etc.
• Laws in India Against Hate Speech: 
  • Section 153A (IPC) – Punishes speech promoting enmity between groups.
  • Section 295A (IPC) – Criminalizes speech that deliberately insults religious beliefs.
  • Section 505 (IPC) – Prevents statements that incite public disorder.
  • The IT Act, 2000 – Regulates hate speech on digital platforms.