About
What is the Global Expression Report?
The Global Expression Report (GxR) examines trends in our right to freedom of expression and information – globally, regionally, and nationally. The report is unique in that it provides a concrete measure and quantifiable perspective on expression: from posting online to protesting, investigating, and accessing the information needed to keep leaders accountable.
Since 2020, the GxR metric (which underpins the report) has enabled us to track freedom of expression across 161 countries, using 25 indicators, to create a score between 0 and 100 for every country. This score places each country in an expression category: Open, Less Restricted, Restricted, Highly Restricted, or Crisis.
The GxR team produces annual and periodic analyses based on the annual release of data by the Varieties of Democracy Institute (V-Dem). The V-Dem dataset is the world’s most authoritative data resource for examining the health of democracies around the world.
From 2024, regular analysis will be published on this website.
Since 2020, the GxR metric (which underpins the report) has enabled us to track freedom of expression across 161 countries, using 25 indicators, to create a score between 0 and 100 for every country. This score places each country in an expression category: Open, Less Restricted, Restricted, Highly Restricted, or Crisis.
The GxR team produces annual and periodic analyses based on the annual release of data by the Varieties of Democracy Institute (V-Dem). The V-Dem dataset is the world’s most authoritative data resource for examining the health of democracies around the world.
From 2024, regular analysis will be published on this website.
Who produces the Global Expression Report?
The GxR is produced by a small research team – Emily Hart, Nicole Steward-Streng, and Greg Maya – who work with V-Dem analysts and the ARTICLE 19 Strategic Communications unit.
ARTICLE 19 is grateful to the team at V-Dem for supporting our work on the GxR and its precursors since 2017, and to the GxR Research Team for their dedication to launching the GxR data visualisations online for the first time this year.
ARTICLE 19 is grateful to the team at V-Dem for supporting our work on the GxR and its precursors since 2017, and to the GxR Research Team for their dedication to launching the GxR data visualisations online for the first time this year.
Why does the Global Expression Report matter?
While we can create and design data sets related, for example, to housing, education, or access to clean water, the twin rights under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – concerning the right to speak and the right to know – were thought of as unmeasurable for several decades. Yet these twin rights are foundational to all other human rights.
The GXR enables us to inform ourselves about how we can protect and enhance our freedoms, and all that goes with creating more equitable, fair, and sustainable systems.
