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Global Censorship Requires a Global Response

Global Censorship Requires a Global Response

Governments across the world are imposing and enforcing laws to silence free expression, and even free thought.

Increasingly, we are seeing not only the failure to protect free speech, but also the introduction of measures by the state to actively silence and sanction free expression.

Learn more about these cases to see how ADF International is standing against global censorship:

Breaking News

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"Free speech, I fear, is in retreat."
"Free speech, I fear, is in retreat."
01:04
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This isn’t free speech. This is control.
This isn’t free speech. This is control.
01:35
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Are Draconian Blasphemy Laws Returning to the West?
Are Draconian Blasphemy Laws Returning to the West?
01:37
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Has Britain reached rock bottom yet?
Has Britain reached rock bottom yet?
01:35
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🤫 🤐 What if the government could silence your voice online without explanation?
🤫 🤐 What if the government could silence your voice online without explanation?
01:41
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Breaking News with Paul Coleman: Zuckerberg/Meta/Censorship
Breaking News with Paul Coleman: Zuckerberg/Meta/Censorship
02:36
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Breaking News with Paul Coleman: A Win for Religious Freedom in Nigeria
Breaking News with Paul Coleman: A Win for Religious Freedom in Nigeria
02:42
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Breaking News with Paul Coleman: Pushing Back Against Dangerous Gender Ideology
Breaking News with Paul Coleman: Pushing Back Against Dangerous Gender Ideology
02:41
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Free Speech News with Paul Coleman: EU’s Digital Services Act and Global Censorship Threats
Free Speech News with Paul Coleman: EU’s Digital Services Act and Global Censorship Threats
03:30
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Free Speech News with Human Rights Lawyer Paul Coleman: Free Speech in Australia
Free Speech News with Human Rights Lawyer Paul Coleman: Free Speech in Australia
02:41

Governments should focus on protecting speech, not squashing it

Freedom of speech is a prerequisite for a free society, and a fundamental human right guaranteed by every major human rights treaty. Upholding this right is essential for the protection of all of our human rights. 

State-driven censorship fuels cancel culture and a climate of fear. Once the state starts censoring “unpopular” speech, there is no logical stopping point.

Without free speech, every human right is imperiled

While laws that punish speech often impose different punishments and occur in different contexts, the foundation is often very similar. For example, blasphemy laws and “hate speech” laws are both state-driven censorship grounded in the idea that some words are simply too offensive to be heard.

In a free society, ideas should be challenged with ideas, not censorship

As international human rights advocates with deep expertise in defending the right to free speech, ADF International is uniquely positioned to address the escalating censorship crisis in Brazil.

Our work focuses on the international institutions – including the Organization of American States – which were set up to ensure states respect their human rights commitments.

In Brazil, our work includes petitioning the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to intervene and protect the fundamental right to free speech in Brazil, holding the state to account for violating its international legal obligations.

Latest News

Foreign Censorship on U.S. Social Media Platforms – Australian Case Validates Vance’s Concerns

Melbourne Tribunal to hear “monumental” free speech challenge from 31st March-4th April Musk’s “X” and Canadian “Billboard Chris” bringing case against Australian “eSafety Commissioner” for censoring online post criticizing gender
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More Resources

CENSORED: How European "Hate Speech" Laws are Threatening Free Speech

Paul Coleman, ADF International Executive Director

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