North Korea is known to have one of the most repressive regimes in the world, and freedom is severely restricted for its citizens. The government exerts tight control over every aspect of people's lives, including their freedom of speech, expression, assembly, and religion. Freedom of speech is virtually non-existent in North Korea, as any criticism of the government or its leader is strictly prohibited. The media is completely state-controlled, and access to external information is severely limited. The internet is heavily censored, and only a select few have access to it. Freedom of expression is also heavily curtailed, with artistic and cultural productions strictly regulated by the government.