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Dear John,

Last week, Freedom House released its 15th annual Freedom on the Net report, which has already sparked conversations around the world. 

​The new report found that global internet freedom has now been in decline for a decade and a half. Digital repression continues to deepen in Russia, Turkey, and Venezuela, where authoritarian leaders seek to emulate the draconian censorship found in China and Iran. Freedom House researchers also documented growing threats to free expression among more democratic countries, 
such as Germany and the United States. 

Looking forward, artificial intelligence and satellite-based internet service have the potential to transform how people communicate and access information across borders. To ensure that this next wave of technology actually strengthens democracy and does not exacerbate repression, we need to develop tools and regulations that reflect the lessons of the past 15 years of digital policy. We cannot afford to make the same mistakes.

Reinforcing democracy through well-crafted tech policies remains a core part of Freedom House’s mission, but we need your help to sustain and intensify our efforts. Freedom House was among the organizations that were materially affected by the freeze in US foreign assistance, which included the removal of funding for Freedom on the Net and for our programs offering emergency support to journalists, human rights defenders, and others who face persecution for expressing their beliefs and dissent online. 

Please consider making a donation dedicated to Freedom House’s work on technology and democracy. Your partnership will ensure that we can continue our critical research on threats to human rights in the digital age and provide emergency assistance to human rights defenders worldwide. 

Sincerely,