Freedom of Opinion and Expression are the bedrock of every free and democratic society. The human right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression is described in Article 19 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It safeguards the freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas of all kinds, whether through speech, writing, art, or other media, regardless of frontiers. This right is essential for personal development, democracy, and holding people in power accountable. It is also a necessary condition for the full enjoyment of many other human rights, including the rights to freedom of assembly and association, and the exercise of the right to vote.
Freedom of expression enables individuals to voice opinions, share knowledge, and challenge authority without fear of reprisal. It protects not only popular views but also those that may be controversial, shock or disturb, as long as they are non-discriminatory and do not incite violence. The right covers a range of activities, from public speeches and journalism to artistic works, protests, and online posts. It even includes silence or symbolic acts like wearing a protest armband. The human rights to freedom of expression does not protect speech that directly incites violence.
Your voice matters. You have the right to agree or disagree with people in power and to say what you think, share and access information, and demand the protection of human rights.
A free, uncensored and unhindered press is essential in every society to ensure the freedom of opinion and expression and the enjoyment of other human rights. When press freedom is attacked, all of our human rights are in danger.
Case Study: World Press Freedom Index
Reporters Without Borders (Reporters Sans Frontieres - RSF) is an international nonprofit organization that defends the right of every human being to have access to free and reliable information. They act for the freedom, pluralism and independence of journalism. Their activities include supporting journalists under threat, launching advocacy campaigns to protect journalistic freedom and access to information, and measuring press freedom around the world through its World Press Freedom Index.
The World Press Freedom Index measures the state of press freedom in 180 countries and includes abuses committed against journalists and on all forms of censorship. Physical attacks against journalists are the most visible violations of press freedom, but economic pressure on media reached a critical low in 2025. In 2025, the conditions for journalism were poor in half of the world’s countries and more than six out of ten countries saw their overall scores decline in the Index, including the United States where press freedom dropped 14 points in two years. In 42 countries press freedom is entirely absent and practicing journalism is particularly dangerous. Press freedom is satisfactory in fewer than one in four countries. This is the lowest point of press freedom since the start of the index.