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Across the world, free speech is under attack. Censorship is on the rise in Europe, and nations like Iran and China have long since controlled what their citizens are allowed to know. A new effort from the Trump administration, however, seeks to change that.
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From The Epoch Times:
In response to what the Trump administration says is a rising tide of censorship in Europe, the State Department is launching a new app that will give users worldwide access to content that has been censored in other countries.
This includes not only Europe but also China and Iran. The platform, called Freedom.gov, will go live over the next several weeks, according to the State Department, and will be operable on iOS and Android devices.
“Freedom.gov is the latest in a long line of efforts by the State Department to protect and promote fundamental freedoms, both online and offline,” the State Department stated in an email to The Epoch Times. “The project will be global in its scope, but distinctly American in its mission: commemorating our commitment to free expression as we approach our 250th birthday.
Free speech is under attack in Europe. Recent laws like the Digital Services Act were written to combat “hate speech,” “harmful speech,” and “misinformation.” Though these may have been written with good intentions, critics note that speech codes in Europe have become increasingly draconian, according to the Times.
In Finland, a member of parliament was charged for quoting Bible verses online that are critical of gay marriage. In the UK, protestors praying silently outside of abortion clinics have been arrested. And shockingly, according to the Times, illegal speech in Germany has come to include insulting government officials. Thus far, the First Amendment has protected Americans from these sorts of authoritarian laws. However, around the world, governments are putting the speech of their constituents under increased scrutiny.
Freedom.gov promised to “protect and promote fundamental freedoms.” Let’s pray that this new initiative protects free speech, both at home and abroad!
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(Excerpt from The Epoch Times. Photo Credit: Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)
