Free Speech in 2025: Where Does India Stand?
- vidyarthee2021
- Mar 20
- 2 min read
The Future of Free Speech Index 2025, a global survey assessing support for freedom of expression, has ranked India 24th out of 33 countries. The ranking highlights the evolving challenges and debates surrounding free speech, censorship, and digital expression in India and worldwide.
Key Global Findings
Top Countries Supporting Free Speech:
Scandinavian nations—Norway, Denmark, and Sweden—continue to lead in upholding free speech.
Surprisingly, Hungary and Venezuela, often labeled as democratic backsliders, also scored high on the index.
Declining Support for Free Speech:
Countries like Japan, Israel, and the U.S. have witnessed a significant decline in support for free speech since 2021, reflecting growing concerns about censorship, misinformation, and national security laws.
Role of Media and Technology:
Traditional media, social media platforms, and AI content generators have become crucial in shaping public discourse.
However, concerns about misinformation, government regulations, and corporate censorship continue to influence how free speech is perceived and exercised.
India’s Position on Free Speech
Constitutional Protection:
Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression.
However, reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2) allow the state to regulate speech in the interests of security, public order, morality, and sovereignty.
Challenges in India:
Regulation of Social Media: Laws like the IT Rules, 2021 have sparked debates over censorship and platform accountability.
Criminalization of Speech: Laws such as sedition (Section 124A, IPC) and defamation (Section 499, IPC) have been criticized for curbing dissent and media freedom.
Impact of AI and Digital Platforms: Government regulations on AI-generated content are increasing, raising concerns about algorithmic bias and digital censorship.
Way Forward
Balancing Free Speech and Regulation: Strengthen legal safeguards to prevent arbitrary restrictions on free speech while curbing hate speech and misinformation.
Judicial Oversight: Ensure that judicial review plays a stronger role in interpreting free speech laws fairly.
Technological Transparency: AI-driven platforms must maintain transparent algorithms to avoid biased content moderation.
UPSC Prelims Question
With reference to Free Speech in India, consider the following statements:
Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution provides absolute freedom of speech and expression.
The government can impose reasonable restrictions on free speech under Article 19(2).
The sedition law (Section 124A, IPC) has been abolished in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
UPSC Mains Question
Q. Freedom of speech and expression is a cornerstone of democracy but is often subject to state regulation. Critically examine the challenges to free speech in India and suggest measures to balance it with national security and public order.
(GS Paper 2 – Polity & Governance)
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