Artists in Africa continue to face escalating challenges in exercising their creative freedom, according to The State of Artistic Freedom 2024 report by Freemuse. The report highlights that women in Sub-Saharan Africa are particularly vulnerable, frequently facing attacks for allegedly “vulgar” performances or wearing revealing clothing. In northern Nigeria, women are barred from participating in the arts without male permission, a restriction Freemuse describes as emblematic of broader systemic oppression. For those who can perform, threats of violence and imprisonment are constant risks.
Across the continent, artists often require protection from criminal gangs just to perform in public spaces, especially in Latin American-influenced areas where organized crime plays a significant role in local arts. Nigeria, one of the most prominent examples, has seen artists sentenced to death under blasphemy laws, reflecting a persistent intolerance toward perceived religious insults or criticism. In countries such as Uganda and Ethiopia, creative voices have been heavily monitored and censored, especially for content that touches on political or religious themes.
These challenges in Africa mirror broader global issues, Freemuse reports, with some of the world’s largest democracies — Germany, the UK, and the USA — experiencing unprecedented censorship. In these countries, artists calling for ceasefires amid ongoing global conflicts, like those in Sudan and Gaza, faced severe consequences, including blacklisting, job losses, and the removal of works from public exhibitions. This crackdown has raised concerns about the erosion of artistic freedom in traditionally democratic societies.
Further East, in Türkiye, artists have endured government restrictions ranging from outright bans to the removal of politically charged films from festivals, particularly those exploring Kurdish rights or LGBTQI themes. A similar pattern of censorship has emerged in Southeast Asia, where Cambodian authorities have banned films that they allege portray the country negatively.
Iran remains one of the most restrictive countries for artists, with many facing imprisonment for work that questions the religious establishment. The report documents the severe consequences for those involved in protests related to Mahsa Amini’s death in police custody, including a rapper sentenced to death under charges of “corruption on earth.” In Afghanistan, the rise of fundamentalism has pushed women nearly out of the arts sector entirely.
Freemuse’s findings also reveal a growing suppression of LGBTQI expression worldwide. In Russia and other parts of Europe, new foreign agent laws now extend to artists, with works exploring LGBTQI themes facing increased hostility. The Middle East also saw widespread bans of Hollywood films over perceived LGBTQI content, signaling deepening conservatism.
Digital spaces, once havens for creative freedom, are now heavily monitored and censored. Algorithms increasingly restrict LGBTQI content, while American anti-LGBTQI laws have led to the removal of books in schools for alleged obscenity or anti-family themes, exacerbating existing barriers for marginalized creators.
Despite these challenges, Freemuse reports positive steps in some areas. Malta and Ireland have revised outdated laws, expanding protections for satirical and expressive works, and public support for embattled artists has led to some censorship reversals. Freemuse’s ongoing partnership with arts freedom organizations worldwide remains vital to protecting these spaces, advocating for the rights of artists who continue to speak up against political and social constraints.
Download the report here.
Eustace Michelo