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Asia-Pacific

Countries & Territories: 45

3.9 billion people

43% free

Press:

10% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia

Countries & Territories: 38

412 million people

39% free

Press:

19% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

Middle East and North Africa

Countries & Territories: 26

405 million people

2% free

Press:

8% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Countries & Territories: 50

886 million people

13% free

Press:

12% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

Americas

Countries & Territories: 38

941 million people

83% free

Press:

46% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

Western Europe

Countries & Territories: 28

489 million people

84% free

Press:

84% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

State’s Duty to Protect Human Rights Defenders: National Policies and Protection Programs

The March 7^th panel at the 19th session of the UN Human Rights Council will examine the need for state policies and programs to protect human rights defenders.

Violence Against Journalists: Reporting in the Most Dangerous Countries

The March 8th panel at the 19th session of the UN Human Rights Council will explore the perilous situation of journalism and free expression in countries where state & non-state actors target journalists and undermine press freedom.

Walter Schloss, 1916-2012

Freedom House mourns the death of a beloved member of its family, Walter Schloss. A Board member for over thirty years, many of those as Treasurer, Walter was a true and devoted champion of freedom who provided invaluable support and wise counsel to the organization during his many years of...

Russia in Advance of its March 4 Elections: Is the Putin Era Coming to an End?

Freedom House's David J. Kramer and Christopher Walker joined Robert Orttung and Guy Verhofstadt to discuss Russia’s political climate leading up to March 4’s presidential election and the prospects for reform.

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News & Updates

Press Release

Freedom House Mourns the Loss of Congressman Payne

Mar 6 2012 - 2:42pm

Freedom House mourns the loss of U.S. Representative Donald Payne, who died today at the age of 77. He was the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights and previously served as Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Issues:

U.S. Foreign Policy

Freedom Alert

Facebook, Websites Blocked in Tajikistan After Publishing Article Critical of the President

Mar 5 2012 - 5:42pm

Freedom House condemns Tajikistan’s state-run communications agency for ordering internet service providers to block access to Facebook and at least three Russian-language websites, including – tjknews.com, maxala.org and zvezda.ru – after the sites published an article critical of President Emonali Rakhmon entitled “Tajikistan on the eve of a revolution.”

Issues:

Freedom of Expression, Internet Freedom, Media Freedom

Regions:

Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia

Freedom Alert

Somali Broadcast Journalist Murdered

Mar 5 2012 - 3:03pm

Somali reporter Ali Ahmed Abdi was killed Sunday, March 4 in Galkayo, Somalia when masked gunmen reportedly shot him in the head after stopping him in the street.

Issues:

Media Freedom, Rule of Law

Regions:

Sub-Saharan Africa

Freedom Alert

U.N. Human Rights Council Condemns Violence in Syria

Mar 3 2012 - 1:25pm

Freedom House welcomes the U.N. Human Right's Council (UNHRC)’s adoption of a resolution condemning "widespread and systematic” human rights violations in Syria. The resolution calls upon the Syrian government to immediately cease attacks on civilians and to allow unimpeded access by the United Nations and other aid groups to areas that have been besieged for months.

Issues:

Civil Society, Human Rights Defense, Rule of Law, United Nations

Regions:

Middle East and North Africa

Latest Blog Post

The Global Reach of China’s Censors

Arch Puddington

March 6, 2012

Since late 2010, Freedom House has been publishing the China Media Bulletin (CMB), a weekly digest of press freedom and censorship news related to the People’s Republic of China. The CMB has built up a substantial readership among scholars, journalists, diplomats, and government officials who specialize in China affairs. But the stories highlighted in the bulletin should be read by a wider audience, as its material is relevant to anyone who cares about freedom and the constantly evolving methods employed by freedom’s adversaries.

Issues:

Civil Society, Freedom of Expression, Internet Freedom, Media Freedom

Regions:

Asia-Pacific

Freedom Alert

Colombian Court Upholds Prison Sentence for Newspaper Editor

Mar 5 2012 - 12:15pm

Freedom House condemns the Colombian Cudinamarca High Court’s decision on February 29 to uphold the prison sentence against Luis Agustin Gonzalez, editor of newspaper Cundinamarca Democrática, for criminal libel, and hopes the Supreme Court repeals the sentence.

Issues:

Freedom of Expression, Internet Freedom, Media Freedom, Rule of Law

Regions:

Americas

China Media Bulletin

China Media Bulletin: Issue No. 49

Mar 2 2012 - 5:27pm

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

HIGHLIGHTS
* State media lash out at U.S. on Syria policy
* Restive village’s communications restricted
* Microblog highlights: Nanjing denial, NPC critics, women’s toilet protests
* Despite block, Chinese firms advertise on Facebook
* Chinese agents harass CNN crew in Nepal

Issues:

Internet Freedom, Media Freedom

Regions:

Asia-Pacific