Number of countries where free speech is being
suppressed in key areas
0
15
30
45
60>
51
83
Countries have used Covid laws to arbitrarily arrest, detain, and prosecute critics of government, resulting in fines and imprisonment
Governments have
used the pandemic to
justify violating
free speech and
peaceful assembly
33
24
Governments have threatened critics, in some cases with prosecution, if they criticise their response to the pandemic
Countries have enacted vague laws and measures that criminalise spreading alleged misinformation or other coverage of Covid-19
12
18
Countries have blocked specific Covid-19-related media reports or shut down media outlets for their reporting on the pandemic
The number of countries in which journalists, bloggers and protesters have been assaulted by police or military
10
8
The number of countries where protests against government responses to Covid-19 (or other unrelated policies) have been arbitrarily banned or broken up
Countries have suspended or restricted the right to request and receive information from the authorities, including on public health matters
Number of countries where free speech is being suppressed in key areas
0
15
30
45
60>
33
51
83
24
Governments have threatened critics, in some cases with prosecution, if they criticise their response to the pandemic
Countries have used Covid laws to arbitrarily arrest, detain, and prosecute critics of government, resulting in fines and imprisonment
Governments have
used the pandemic to justify violating
free speech and
peaceful assembly
Countries have enacted vague laws and measures that criminalise spreading alleged misinformation or other coverage of Covid-19
12
10
8
18
Countries have blocked specific Covid-19-related media reports or shut down media outlets for their reporting on the pandemic
The number of countries where protests against government responses to Covid-19 (or other unrelated policies) have been arbitrarily banned or broken up
Countries have suspended or restricted the right to request and receive information from the authorities, including on public health matters
The number of countries in which journalists, bloggers and protesters have been assaulted by police or military