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
🤝Civic Action✊Civil Rights📰Media Literacy
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
🤝Civic Action✊Civil Rights📰Media Literacy
Test Your Knowledge
10
Q1
When did CIVICUS place the United States on its civic space watchlist?
Q2
What was the Trump administration's response to the CIVICUS watchlist placement?
Q3
The CIVICUS watchlist designation is legally binding on the United States.
Q4
Which constitutional amendments protect the civic space freedoms CIVICUS monitors?
Q5
Which specific Trump administration actions prompted the CIVICUS downgrade?
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Start QuizPeople, bills, and sources
NPR
Public radio network
Mandeep Tiwana
CIVICUS Secretary General who issued the warning statement
White House Wire
Administration-run news website cited as propaganda concern
PBS
Public broadcaster whose funding was revoked