IFLA’s Advisory Committee on Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression is tracking closely developments in the United States that affect information freedom, which pose a systemic risk to the global information environment.

FAIFE (IFLA’s Advisory Committee on Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression) has a role in monitoring and responding to key developments on intellectual freedom and human rights affecting libraries and information environments globally, supporting both the Governing Board and the wider field.

The Committee is deeply concerned by the current global challenges to freedom of information and freedom of expression that impact libraries and information environments.

The Committee has observed significant actions by the government in the United States that restrict freedom of information, freedom of expression, and access to information. These governmental measures are fostering an atmosphere of fear and intimidation for libraries and library professionals.

FAIFE members express our support for library and information workers in the United States and around the world whose ability to fulfill their responsibilities is being compromised, and who are living with fear and threats to their safety due to government actions.

Recent U.S. government actions that exemplify these concerns include:

  • The dismissal of the Librarian of Congress, reportedly linked in part to her support for diversity initiatives.
  • Cuts to library funding delivered through the Institute of Museum and Library Services
  • Removal of data available on government websites including data related to diversity, gender, climate, and science.
  • Barriers put in place to prevent scraping of government websites for preservation
  • Censorship actions requiring that certain libraries, including military academies, withdraw materials from their collection, including material on race and gender.
  • Withdrawal of funding to universities based on their research and policy positions.
  • Withdrawal or threats of withdrawal of legal status and/or research funding to students and faculty members at universities based on their areas of study and expression, which may be affecting library scholars and workers.

We recognise that these types of government action take place in many countries, and compromise their library and information environments.

FAIFE will be undertaking a project in 2025 to expand global awareness of threats to the information environment by governments in individual countries and will call on library workers and library associations to contribute.

This will include publishing materials about actions, barriers, and threats and providing webinars to raise awareness about situations in countries around the world.

For additional information on some of the action in the United States, sources include: