Threats to Freedom of Expression: Reflecting on the Past Year and Preparing for the Challenges Ahead
What challenges will freedom of expression face in 2025, and how will PEN Norway address them? We asked PEN Norway’s Secretary General, Jørgen Frydnes, for answers.
Happy New Year, Jørgen. How would you summarize the state of freedom of expression in 2024?
Happy New Year!
The least we can do is hold onto our faith that things can improve, no matter how challenging the road ahead may seem.
In 2024, several setbacks to freedom of expression were felt across the globe, that did not only impact press freedom but also presented wider challenges to free speech.
The year was marred by increasing polarization, the rise of autocratic political tendencies, and the suppression of dissent. Technological advancements, especially in artificial intelligence, contributed to the rapid spread of misinformation, which as a result undermined access to reliable and accurate information. Meanwhile, young people, particularly from minority and marginalized communities, found their space for self-expression shrinking.
More concerning was the erosion of freedom of expression even in democratic nations. In the United States, President Donald Trump launched more than 100 verbal attacks on the media during his election campaign. Israel became the world’s second-largest jailer of journalists. Meanwhile, in Europe, peaceful protesters faced bans and criminal charges simply for voicing their opinions.
What are the challenges in the countries where PEN Norway works?
Overall, it is a worrying situation across the world; however, it is even worse in the countries where we are actively working.
For instance, in Afghanistan, one of our focus countries, 181 violations of media freedom were reported last year. Similarly, in China, Belarus, Iran, and Turkey, where we are engaged, regimes consistently used arbitrary detention and other harsh measures to silence dissenting voices with impunity.
What challenges await PEN Norway in 2025?
There is not just one challenge but many, and the nature of these challenges is growing more complex every day.
Conflict, war, terrorism, the misuse of anti-terror laws, digital safety, and the rapid growth of artificial intelligence are among the key challenges ahead.
Worryingly, their impacts are also being felt in Western democracies. Although Norway in Europe is considered a very free country, where people have lots of freedom to express themselves. Still, there are challenges. Many people withdraw from public debates due to hate speech, racism, and harassment. At the same time, some complain that the threshold for challenging opposing views has become too low.
Algorithms and artificial intelligence further threaten freedom of expression by influencing access to accurate information, which are creating fragmented understandings of reality, and eroding trust—both in institutions and among people in Norway and abroad.
How will PEN Norway contribute to addressing these challenges?
In Norway, we are particularly focused on strengthening young voices. We are working to ensure young voices have full rights to freedom of expression through the UngYtring2030 project, which we plan to launch in 2025. This initiative aims to inspire and empower young voices, who make up 16% of the world’s population, to use their voices and become active democratic citizens. Through this project, we want to emphasize the importance of democracy, the value of healthy discussions, and the right to freedom of expression.
Via this project, we also aim to address major challenges to freedom of expression within workplaces and business settings.
Apart from that, internationally, as in previous years, we will continue our efforts with renewed energy and ambition, with a particular focus on Turkey, where we have been actively engaged for three decades. This year, we aim to intensify our campaign for the release of imprisoned writers, journalists, activists, and dissenting voices in Turkey. While attending court cases has been a part of our advocacy in the past, we at PEN Norway strongly believe there is even greater potential and avenue for activism and impactful campaigning in Turkey.
This year, our focus will remain on writers, journalists, literary figures, and all dissenting voices unjustly imprisoned on trumped-up charges in our focus countries, including in Turkey. We are committed to telling their stories and strengthening our fight for their freedom.
We are confident that our efforts in Turkey will serve as a model for similar follow-up initiatives in other countries where free speech is threatened.
Why is freedom of expression so fundamental to democracy?
Freedom of expression is the very lifeblood of democracy. It is the vital force that enables people to speak truth to power, challenge injustice, and shape the direction of society. When people are free to voice their opinions, no matter how controversial, they hold leaders and institutions accountable, ensuring that democracy thrives. The exchange of ideas, whether they challenge the status quo or propose new possibilities, fuels innovation and social progress.
In the absence of free speech, democracy falters. Authoritarian regimes, unchallenged, tighten their grip on power, silencing dissent and creating an atmosphere of fear and oppression. This stifles opposition, restricts the flow of ideas, and erodes the very principles democracy is built upon.
The consequences of curtailing free expression are not just theoretical—they are deeply damaging. A society without free speech risks becoming a stagnant, divided, and disillusioned place, where truth is obscured, and voices of resistance are silenced. We must recognize that freedom of expression is not only a right but a responsibility. As we move forward, especially in an age where misinformation and censorship are rampant, it is very much important that we protect and promote this freedom, especially among the younger generation. We must ensure they understand that their voice matters and that it has the power to shape the future of democracy.
Which cases of freedom of expression do you think have been neglected or forgotten?
When discussing individual cases, countries, or people whose voices remain unheard or neglected, there are countless examples—both in Norway and abroad.
While working with persecuted voices from Belarus, Iran, Eritrea, and Balochistan in Pakistan, I am constantly reminded of how indigenous voices are often neglected, particularly those who are persecuted for advocating for their rights.
However, I want to emphasize the importance of promoting a strong culture of expression in achieving freedom of expression for all. I believe that we grow both as individuals and as a society when we exchange ideas and opinions in a healthy way, even when we disagree.
I also want to remind that it is very important to remember that not all polarization is harmful. Sharp divides and heated debates are not inherently destructive; rather, they highlight the uniqueness of individuals and how everyone contributes to enriching and upholding democracy. While tolerance can sometimes be exhausting, democracy relies on it.
What is the best thing about working at PEN Norway?
The best part of working at PEN Norway is fighting for justice and free future alongside some of the most dedicated and inspiring people.
I am very glad being part of a global movement that includes imprisoned writers, activists, and artists fighting for freedom of expression all over the world.
Besides that, I feel I am learning daily from PEN’s small experienced staff, volunteer members, Board, and committees that makes this work both meaningful and rewarding.
What have you learned the most from your role as Secretary General of PEN Norway?
As Secretary General of PEN Norway, I am learning something new everyday.
I am deeply inspired by those who courageously stand up to authoritarian regimes, often at great personal risk, to protect freedom of expression.
Living in a free society like Norway, the struggles of brave voices in authoritarian, dictatorial, and monarch regimes serve as a daily reminder of the true cost of freedom.
I also learn a great deal from my small, dedicated team, which brings diverse backgrounds and experiences. Together, we work every day to promote free speech for all.
Do you have a New Year’s resolution?
From PEN Norway’s perspective, perhaps the resolution should remain the same every year:
Speak your mind, listen to others, and never give up. There is much to do—let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work!
