On Sunday, the United States was added to the CIVICUS Monitor Watchlist, shining a spotlight on global civil liberties. This shift arrives amidst President Donald Trump’s troubling trend against democratic practices, according to CIVICUS, an alliance advocating for civic freedoms. The administration’s drastic cuts to foreign aid and efforts to dismantle diversity initiatives were particularly highlighted as detrimental to civil society.
Mandeep Tiwana, Interim Co-Secretary General of CIVICUS, expressed concern that the current administration is undermining democratic checks and balances. He asserted that restrictive orders and intimidating rhetoric from officials are fostering an environment stifling dissent, a fundamental American value. This happened alongside the watchlist’s inclusion of other nations, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Italy, pointing to a broader global issue.
CIVICUS categorises civil rights into five tiers, from ‘open’ to ‘closed,’ with the U.S. currently labelled as ‘narrowed,’ which indicates some setbacks to rights like free expression. Despite ongoing civil protests, including demonstrations against U.S. military aid to Israel, there have been observed governmental attempts to infringe upon these rights.
Tiwana urged the U.S. to uphold rule of law and human rights standards, noting bipartisan discontent with current administrative actions. Meanwhile, the White House did not respond to TIME’s inquiries on the situation.
The ‘narrowed’ classification signals an existing free press but reveals potential limitations stemming from political and regulatory pressures. This becomes pertinent as debates around media practices intensify, especially following the FCC’s investigation into NPR and PBS, signalling regulatory scrutiny amid changing media landscapes.
Jeff Bezos, owner of the Washington Post, instructed changes that would focus the organisation on supporting personal liberties, while the White House’s control over the reporters covering the administration raised due alarms among journalism advocates. Critics argue this undermines the independence essential for effective journalism, a cornerstone of democracy.
Significantly, the Associated Press has filed a lawsuit against the White House, challenging restrictions that blocked their access to press briefings in retaliation for certain editorial content deemed undesirable by the administration. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles for journalistic integrity and freedom under a government that tries to shape its narrative.
The United States has been added to the CIVICUS Monitor Watchlist due to concerns over civil liberties under President Trump’s administration. CIVICUS highlights issues such as drastic cuts in foreign aid and the curtailment of diversity initiatives. The U.S. is classified as ‘narrowed’, indicating attempts to restrict freedoms like free speech. Meanwhile, incidents involving media suppression and a lawsuit by the Associated Press further illustrate the pressing challenges to democracy.
The recent addition of the United States to the CIVICUS Monitor Watchlist highlights a concerning trend in the deterioration of civil liberties. Under President Trump, actions against democratic norms and rights of expression reflect a growing atmosphere of fear and restriction. The situation echoes wider global civil rights challenges, signalling an urgent call for upholding human rights and freedom of the press. The pressures on media organisations and the government’s attempts to control narratives underline the importance of protecting journalistic independence and maintaining the ability of the public to exercise their rights freely in a democratic society. The ongoing legal challenges show the tension between government practices and constitutional rights, a delicate balance that must be preserved for democracy to thrive.
Original Source: time.com
