Civic Action · Civil Rights · Media Literacy·March 24, 2025
CIVICUS downgrades U.S. civic freedoms from "narrowed" to "obstructed"
Global watchdog drops U.S. civic freedom rating 6 points citing crackdowns on press and protest
U.S. score dropped 6 points from 62 to 56 in 2025
Rating changed from 'narrowed' to 'obstructed'
'Obstructed' means civic space is heavily contested with legal and practical constraints on rights
39 countries worldwide are rated 'obstructed' including Hungary, Brazil, South Africa
FCC broadcast license threats cited as press freedom concern
NPR and PBS defunding documented as government pressure on media
White House Wire created as administration-run news outlet
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