Westerners tend to regard freedom of speech as a universal good. But a forthcoming report from a Danish think-tank shows that public support for freedom of expression varies widely among countries
WESTERNERS TEND to regard freedom of speech as a universal good. However, a forthcoming report by Justitia, a Danish think-tank, demonstrates that public support for freedom of expression varies widely among countries, just as legal restraints on speech do. In many countries, particularly authoritarian regimes, people say they want fewer controls. But perhaps surprisingly, in a handful of places poll respondents suggest they want less freedom than they currently have.
In general, the more freedom respondents in a given country said they wanted, the more that country tended to provide. One inescapable weakness in the report’s approach is that people in places with tight restrictions on speech may not feel comfortable telling pollsters how they really feel.
However, just as respondents in many countries said they did not have enough freedom of expression, people in others tended to say they were actually given too much liberty. This pattern was most pronounced in Kenya, Tunisia, and Nigeria.
Although not enough data is available to explain this phenomenon fully, faith and sectarianism may play a role. In general, respondents in Muslim-majority countries were far less supportive of free speech—particularly when it comes to offensive comments about religion—than those elsewhere.
Another possible explanation is sectarian conflict. Kenya and Nigeria have been riven by fighting between ethnic groups at various points during the past two decades, and citizens of those countries may fear that hostile speech presages violence.
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