Does Corruption Suppress Freedom of Expression? Evidence from the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index

• In Event: Human Rights from Global Perspective: Violence, Slavery, and Rule of Law

Abstract

This study examines the impact of corruption on freedom of expression using a global panel dataset from the World Justice Project's Rule of Law Index. Employing a fixed effects model, the analysis investigates how different types of corruption—judicial, bureaucratic, and legislative—affect freedom of expression across democracies and non-democracies. The findings reveal that overall corruption significantly undermines freedom of expression, with notable variations based on a country's level of democratic governance. In highly democratic countries (open government index ≥ 0.7), legislative corruption has a significant negative effect, whereas in less democratic countries (open government index < 0.7), judicial and bureaucratic corruption are the primary factors restricting freedom of expression. These results suggest that the mechanisms through which corruption suppresses free speech differ based on institutional contexts, highlighting the need for targeted anti-corruption strategies. The study contributes to the broader literature on governance, democracy, and fundamental rights by providing empirical evidence on the relationship between corruption and civil liberties.

Author

• Moonsoo Lee, The University of Texas at Dallas