A project of Freedom on the Net
Elections and internet censorship often go hand in hand. As citizens head to the polls, repressive governments limit access to information, and in the most extreme cases, cut off internet service entirely. Freedom House’s Freedom on the Net project has estimated the risk of restrictions on internet freedom during upcoming elections in selected countries.
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Brazil
October 2018
General Election
Internet Freedom Status: Partly Free
Analysis
- The Electoral Act limits publication of content deemed “injurious” to candidates during electoral periods. In 2014, the law was used to justify almost 200 lawsuits and numerous content removal requests.
- Intimidation and violence against online journalists and bloggers threaten freedom of expression. Those exposing local corruption scandals are especially at risk.
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Colombia
May 2018
Presidential Election
Internet Freedom Status: Partly Free
Analysis
- Under a 2016 peace agreement between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the former rebel group will participate in parliamentary elections in March 2018, with a presidential vote to follow in May.
- While Colombia has a vibrant digital media environment, journalists and human rights defenders face high levels of intimidation. This may affect online reporters and internet users who address sensitive election-related topics.
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Mexico
July 2018
General Election
Internet Freedom Status: Partly Free
Analysis
- Journalists face intimidation and violence for exposing government corruption and collusion with organized crime, and these may intensify prior to elections.
- Journalists and activists also suffer from cyberattacks, online threats, and digital surveillance.
- Political forces use trolls and automated “bot” accounts to manipulate online debate. Bots, first noticed during the 2012 presidential election, have spread progovernment propaganda and helped drown out dissent on social media.
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United States
November 2018
Parliamentary Elections
Internet Freedom Status: Free
Analysis
- With a third of the Senate and the entire House of Representatives up for election, in addition to state and local offices, the online sphere could again become a partisan battleground.
- While the internet in the United States remains vibrant and diverse, the 2016 election campaign featured a wave of online disinformation.
- Concerns over Russian cyberespionage and electoral interference may reemerge in light of cyberattacks that struck U.S. political organizations in 2016.
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Bangladesh
January 2019
Parliamentary Elections
Internet Freedom Status: Partly Free
Analysis
- The government blocked some news sites with ties to the opposition in 2016.
- Dozens of users have been charged for criticizing companies, individuals, or political figures, though prison sentences are rare.
- Religious extremists have killed bloggers with secular views.
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Cambodia
July 2018
Parliamentary Elections
Internet Freedom Status: Partly Free
Analysis
- Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Cambodian People’s Party, in power since 1979, began a crackdown on internet freedom in 2016 to prevent gains by their opponents in local elections in 2017 and national elections set for 2018.
- Opposition politicians have been charged and jailed for content posted on Facebook.
- Political activists also face cyberattacks and smear campaigns.
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Pakistan
July 2018
Parliamentary Elections
Internet Freedom Status: Not Free
Analysis
- Political parties campaign vigorously online, but regulators recently blocked one party’s website for carrying allegedly anti-Pakistan views.
- Authorities frequently impose brief shutdowns of internet service on security grounds.
- Other threats to internet freedom could increase, including physical attacks and criminal charges in reprisal for digital speech involving religion or government officials.
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Thailand
February 2019
Parliamentary Elections
Internet Freedom Status: Not Free
Analysis
- The military government has postponed elections since seizing power in a 2014 coup, while increasing censorship and imposing long criminal sentences for online speech.
- Online discussion of a 2016 constitutional referendum was heavily restricted, boding ill for the upcoming parliamentary vote.
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Georgia
October 2018
Presidential Election
Internet Freedom Status: Free
Analysis
- The online media environment is free and unrestricted, though some news outlets have a strong partisan bias.
- The 2016 parliamentary elections were deemed largely free and fair, with no curbs on internet freedom.
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Turkey
June 2018
General Elections
Internet Freedom Status: Not Free
Analysis
- Tensions between the ruling AK Party and the opposition will likely escalate in advance of the presidential and parliamentary elections, the first to take place under new electoral rules.
- Voting will be held amid the ongoing state of emergency, in place since the 2016 coup attempt. Thousands of citizens have faced spurious charges for comments made on social media.
- Authorities have repeatedly blocked social media and communications apps, and shut down the internet, around politically sensitive events.
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Zimbabwe
By July 2018
General Election
Internet Freedom Status: Partly Free
Analysis
- Discontent with President Mugabe has grown in recent years, prompting online activism and protests.
- Access to WhatsApp was disabled during antigovernment protests in July 2016. After service was unblocked, the government reportedly hiked the cost of mobile data plans by 500 percent to limit civic organizing.
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