In recent years, social media and messaging apps have become very popular as safe havens for people who want to express their views without fear of outside interference. The Arab Spring was a clear example of this, but in many countries with authoritarian regimes, people still have concerns about openly expressing their political views online.
According to the latest edition of Reuters Digital News Report 65 percent of people in Turkey fear that expressing their political views could bring them into conflict with the country's authorities. Turkey experienced a failed coup two years ago, in which opponents of President Erdoğan imprisoned and theFreedom of the press was severely restricted.
In Malaysia too, concern is high, as new laws there could lead to anyone peddling fake news being imprisoned for up to six years. Even though these concerns are far lower in the United States, almost a quarter of respondents said they feared political expression could lead to problems with the authorities.
Further infographics can be found at Statista