Freedom House 7. The rewriting of history will become more wide- rule of law. They even put in jeopardy the integrity of spread and will greatly complicate societal ef- the facts and figures that an accountable government forts to confront both past and present political and a successful economy require. When the values abuses. The rehabilitation of Joseph Stalin and of the political leadership are seen to waver, indepen- the airbrushing of Mao Zedong’s destructive dent, nongovernmental voices and institutions will reign serve to facilitate an authoritarian form of be called upon to do their part—not just to defend nationalism in which strength and unity super- democracy at home, but to convince skeptical politi- sede justice and freedom, and the state is exalt- cians and citizens that supporting the same struggle ed at the expense of individual human beings. abroad serves the public interest. 8. Authoritarian or illiberal forces are more likely to To the U.S. government: We urge the Trump adminis- gain supremacy in countries where the parties tration to appoint a director of global communications that represent liberal democracy do not simply who is experienced in journalism and allow that per- lose elections, but experience a full-blown political son to build a program to counter hostile authoritari- collapse, whether through corruption, ineptitude, an messaging through up-to-date delivery techniques, or failure to build lasting bonds with the public. In honest reporting, and forthright commentary. Near the end, elections do matter, and real change still the end of 2016, Congress passed legislation that requires victory at the polls. This is why robust, placed the country’s government-supported interna- self-confident, and uncorrupted opposition par- tional media outlets—Voice of America (VOA), Radio ties are essential to democracy’s survival. Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), and their sister services focused on Asia and other regions—under Recommendations m