Insights

Troubling signs are emerging: Democracies are backsliding, conflicts are intensifying hate speech and misinformation, and artificial intelligence (AI) presents both opportunities and threats to free speech.

Artists often find themselves balancing the realms of art and activism. The assertion of personal or emerging collective narratives challenges conventional viewpoints. Artists encounter pressures from authorities imposing restrictions and persecution, as well as societal forces. How can they maintain their mental resilience amidst external pressures? What legal frameworks and actual protection mechanisms exist to safeguard artistic expression?

Young people report facing significant barriers to freedom of expression, such as cancel culture, online bullying, censorship, marginalization, and economic insecurity. The WEXFO Youth community has provided key recommendations to address these challenges and enhance freedom of expression for youth.

The state of global democracy and freedom of expression is taking a concerning turn, according to the latest report from the V-Dem Institute presented at WEXFO 2024.

From a global perspective, the democratic progress achieved over the last 35 years has now disappeared. At the same time, reading skills have declined. Reading is democracy’s and freedom’s most important weapon.