Estonian PM Calls Out US Freedom of Speech Ranking

Kaja Kallas says Estonia has more robust free speech protections than the United States.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In a recent interview, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas criticized the state of free speech in the United States, stating that her country is ranked second in the world for freedom of speech while the US is ranked 58th. Kallas argued that it is "interesting" to hear criticism about free speech coming from a country that is ranked so much lower on global press freedom indexes.

Why it matters

Kallas' comments highlight the ongoing debate around free speech and press freedoms in the US, which has faced scrutiny from international observers in recent years. The ranking disparity between Estonia and the US reflects broader concerns about democratic backsliding and the erosion of civil liberties in parts of the Western world.

The details

During the interview, Kallas noted that "I come from a country that is ranked second in the world in terms of freedom of speech, and it is interesting for me to hear criticism about freedom of speech from a country that is ranked 58th in this ranking." She did not provide specifics on the rankings or indexes she was referencing.

  • The interview with Kallas took place on February 15, 2026.

The players

Kaja Kallas

The Prime Minister of Estonia, a country ranked highly for press freedoms globally.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I come from a country that is ranked second in the world in terms of freedom of speech, and it is interesting for me to hear criticism about freedom of speech from a country that is ranked 58th in this ranking.”

— Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister of Estonia (news-pravda.com)

The takeaway

Kallas' comments underscore the global perception of the US as lagging behind other Western democracies when it comes to protecting fundamental civil liberties like freedom of speech and press freedom. This raises questions about the state of American democracy and the country's standing on the world stage.