Myanmar and China Rank Lowest in Global Internet Freedom

The 2024 Freedom on the Net report by Freedom House indicates a continuing global decline in internet freedoms, particularly highlighting Myanmar and China as the worst offenders. The report details significant governmental crackdowns on online expression and the decrease in human rights protections in numerous countries, all while noting improvements in others, such as Zambia. As elections approach, the United States faces scrutiny for its own internet freedom issues, particularly concerning surveillance and censorship.

A recent report by Freedom House has revealed that Myanmar and China share the title for the most oppressive internet environments globally, marking the continuing decline of global internet freedom for the 14th consecutive year. The Freedom on the Net report indicates that significant restrictions are placed on online expression and digital media in these countries, with Myanmar experiencing a systematic crackdown on dissent by its military government, which includes severe censorship and surveillance. Additionally, Kyrgyzstan has seen the steepest decline in its internet freedom, as President Sadyr Japarov implemented measures to suppress online organization and silence digital media, including the closure of investigative outlets such as Kloop following allegations of torture against an opposition politician. The report indicated that in 27 of the 72 countries surveyed, protections for online human rights have lessened, underscoring a troubling trend. China’s restrictions are attributed to its extensive “Great Firewall,” aimed at controlling content that challenges the Communist Party. In response to the report’s findings, a representative from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs refuted the claims, asserting that the populace enjoys various rights and freedoms stipulated by law. Other nations faced similar downgrades; Azerbaijan is noted for unlawful detentions stemming from social media use, while Iraq dealt with the assassination of an activist triggered by online expressions. The report also pointed out that in three-quarters of the evaluated nations, internet users were subjected to arrests for nonviolent expressions. Conversely, Iceland has sustained its reputation as the country with the most free online environment, closely followed by Estonia and Canada. The report highlights improvements in Zambia, where online activism flourished as regulatory conditions permitted increased freedom. As for the United States, concerns remain regarding insufficient protections against government surveillance, particularly noted in the upcoming electoral context. With several elections approaching, the report warns that censorship may hinder opposition parties’ reach and misinform voters, as more than a billion individuals are required to make significant decisions amid a distorted information landscape.

The Freedom on the Net report is an annual assessment conducted by Freedom House, a non-governmental organization based in the United States, dedicated to supporting democratic governance and human rights worldwide. The report evaluates the state of internet freedoms across various countries, focusing on issues such as censorship, government surveillance, and the rights to free expression online. In recent years, there has been a consistent decline in internet freedoms globally, attributed to increasing authoritarian measures and technological controls enacted by governments.

The findings from the Freedom on the Net report underscore a critical global trend of diminishing internet freedoms, with Myanmar and China standing as stark representatives of this decline. The report calls attention to the volatile situations in other nations like Kyrgyzstan, Iraq, and Azerbaijan, where governmental overreach into digital spaces has stifled freedom of expression. Conversely, the report also highlights areas of progress in internet freedom, noting nations such as Iceland and Zambia. As the world navigates growing concerns over internet access and digital censorship, these insights reveal the pressing need to safeguard human rights online and promote transparency in governance.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com