Freedom House

Site Search

Asia-Pacific

Countries & Territories: 43

3.9 billion people

44% free

Press:

5% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia

Countries & Territories: 33

408 million people

28% free

Press:

15% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

Middle East and North Africa

Countries & Territories: 20

392 million people

2% free

Press:

2% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Countries & Territories: 50

882 million people

12% free

Press:

5% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

Americas

Countries & Territories: 36

937 million people

71% free

Press:

39% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

Western Europe

Countries & Territories: 26

487 million people

85% free

Press:

72% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

Documentary Highlights Struggle for Human Rights in Zimbabwe

Freedom House hosted a preview of the documentary: "Making the Case: Beatrice Mtetwa and the Rule of Law," which shows the challenges for redressing widespread abuses in Zimbabwe through the story of a prominent human rights lawyer.

Calingaert: Put Internet Freedom Principles Into Practice

Freedom House Vice President for Policy, Daniel Calingaert, called on democratic governments to take concrete steps to defend the rights of internet users at a May 10 event with the Chairs of the U.S. Senate and House Global Internet Freedom Caucuses.

Release of "Freedom of the Press 2012" Findings

Freedom House released the findings of Freedom of the Press 2012, its annual press freedom survey, at a press conference held in front of the World Press Freedom map at the Newseum.

Freedom of the Press 2012: Breakthroughs and Pushback in the Middle East

Freedom House hosted a panel to discuss the findings of its 2012 press freedom survey at the National Press Club on May 3. See event photos on Facebook.

You can help us move freedom forward around the globe.

Donate Now

News & Updates

Press Release

Freedom House Welcomes End of Emergency Law in Egypt

Jun 1 2012 - 12:50pm

Freedom House welcomes the lapse of Egypt’s Emergency Law on May 31, and the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces’ refusal to request its renewal by the People’s Assembly, the lower house of

Issues:

Freedom of Association, Human Rights Defense, Rule of Law

Regions:

Middle East and North Africa

Freedom Alert

Israel’s Indictment of Journalist a Worrying Step Toward Censorship

Jun 1 2012 - 1:02pm

Charges filed against a journalist for unauthorized possession of state secrets set a dangerous precedent for press freedom in Israel and should be dropped immediately, according to Freedom House.

Issues:

Freedom of Expression, Media Freedom

Regions:

Middle East and North Africa

In the News

David J. Kramer on the 2011 Human Rights Report

May 29 2012 - 9:00am

David J. Kramer speaks to CSPAN's Washington Journal about the State Department 2011 Human Rights Report.

Issues:

Civil Society, Human Rights Defense

Regions:

Americas, Asia-Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia, Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Europe

Freedom Alert

Freedom House Welcomes Aid Conditions on Egypt and Bahrain

May 25 2012 - 3:00pm

Freedom House welcomes the Senate Appropriations Committee's decision to restrict funding for Egypt and Bahrain if the countries continue to commit human rights abuses.

Issues:

Civil Society, Freedom of Expression, Human Rights Defense, Media Freedom, U.S. Foreign Policy

Regions:

Middle East and North Africa

Latest Blog Post

Charles Taylor: The Fall Guy and Substitute Justice

Jaclyn Burger

May 30, 2012

Charles Taylor, one of West Africa’s most infamous political figures, was arrested and handed over to the Special Court for Sierra Leone in 2006 to be tried for crimes committed during that country’s brutal civil war. Last month, after a trial that lasted almost five years, featured 115 witness testimonies, and cost approximately $250 million, the court found Taylor guilty of 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, rape, sexual slavery, and the conscription of child soldiers. The prosecution requested an 80-year prison sentence. Today, the former Liberian president was sentenced to 50 years, to be served in a British correctional facility. Taylor’s legal team is likely to appeal.

Issues:

Civil Society, Human Rights Defense, Intergovernmental Bodies, Rule of Law

Regions:

Sub-Saharan Africa

China Media Bulletin

China Media Bulletin: Issue No. 59

Jun 1 2012 - 6:49pm

Freedom House’s weekly update of press freedom and censorship news related to the People’s Republic of China

HIGHLIGHTS
* Censors allow greater discussion of Great Leap Forward
* State TV host’s xenophobic remarks draw backlash
* Microblog service unveils point-based self-censorship system
* In United States, Chen Guangcheng embraces open media
* ‘Men in Black 3’ censored, China tycoon buys U.S. theater chain

Issues:

Internet Freedom, Media Freedom

Regions:

Asia-Pacific

Press Release

Freedom House Calls for Stronger International Action on Syria

May 29 2012 - 5:37pm

The massacre of 116 people in Houla, Syria over the weekend is a clear indication that the Annan plan has failed. Freedom House calls for stronger international action, including by the UN Security Council (UNSC) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), to intervene and prevent further atrocities against the Syrian people. We applaud the governments of Australia, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the United States, for their decision to expel Syrian ambassadors residing in their countries.

Issues:

Civil Society, Human Rights Defense, U.S. Foreign Policy

Regions:

Middle East and North Africa