“Since we launched these legal defence workshops – what we call litigation surgeries – in 2015, more than 400 lawyers from over 60 countries have taken part,” said Carlos Gaio, CEO of Media Defence. “These are intensive three-day sessions where lawyers from a particular region exchange experiences and strategies for defending journalism, freedom of expression and human rights.”
That collaborative spirit was at the heart of the sub-Saharan Africa Litigation Surgery, held in Windhoek, Namibia from 22–24 September 2025. Seventeen lawyers from 12 countries, stretching from Uganda and Rwanda to Ghana and Eswatini, came together not only to strengthen strategic litigation, but to build regional solidarity.
The agenda balanced foundational human rights law principles with applied casework. The sessions – covering defamation, surveillance, SLAPPs, digital rights, and violence against journalists – were deliberately interactive, encouraging participants to apply international and regional legal standards on freedom of expression to the pressing cases they face at home.
One of the most engaging components was the moot court on the final day. Lawyers were asked to argue a simulated freedom of expression case in a restrictive environment before a panel of peers and facilitators. The exercise required participants to engage with the principles explored throughout the surgery while confronting the political and legal realities of restrictive contexts – an opportunity to sharpen their advocacy skills in a collaborative, cross-border setting.
From the outset, participants emphasised how valuable it was to compare experiences across jurisdictions. “The Litigation Surgery was very helpful and valuable to me. I was able to discuss with my fellow lawyers the challenges we face as litigants, and I was privileged to learn how similar cases are handled in other jurisdictions,” one lawyer explained. Another reflected: “The event came at an appropriate time. A time when many African countries are enacting legislation that does not respect freedom of information and access to information. The experiences shared definitely motivate me to continue contributing to the protection of those fundamental rights”.
For many, the real value lay in the networks created. One participant put it powerfully:
“Freedom of the media is not a luxury, but the lifeblood of a functioning democracy. Yet, in a world defined by digital shadows and complex international challenges, freedom is only as strong as the legal framework built to defend it. This training has equipped a new generation of litigators with the knowledge of international law. They gained the very tools and arguments necessary to move beyond simply reporting injustice, and to successfully litigate for justice”.
Survey responses highlighted the event’s impact. Nearly 90 percent of participants reported feeling “very confident” litigating freedom of expression cases after the surgery, with the remainder also reporting greater confidence. Every participant agreed that their knowledge and skills had increased. As one lawyer reflected:
“This training program was exceptional and significantly exceeded my professional development goal. The practical exercises and case studies focusing on the intersection of international law and litigation have been instrumental in helping me to significantly increase my litigation skills.”
Participants came from countries facing markedly different, but challenging media landscapes, a factor that enriched discussions. From Uganda, where journalists face near-daily harassment by security services, to Cameroon, where despite having one of richest media landscapes in Africa it is one of the continent’s most dangerous countries for journalists, particularly for those reporting on the Anglophone crisis. Rwanda remains tightly controlled with many journalists working in exile, and those in the country frequently facing arbitrary detention. Nigeria continues to see frequent arrests and attacks particularly against investigative journalists. In Kenya and Togo, politically connected media ownership and surveillance create heavy pressure on editorial independence, while Tanzania and Zimbabwe struggle with restrictive laws and state advertising leverage. Even in countries with comparatively stronger protections, such as Ghana and Botswana, participants noted pressures linked to politicised ownership, advertising, and safety.
Participants also highlighted the need to address the threats faced by lawyers themselves, who are increasingly being targeted. From surveillance and disbarment to legal harassment, arbitrary detention and even physical violence, governments around the world are pressuring lawyers, deterring them from representing journalists and, in some cases, forcing them into exile – underscoring the urgent need to develop robust regional support networks.
The Windhoek surgery demonstrated that while contexts differ, the challenges faced by journalists and their lawyers are deeply interconnected. What unites participants is a shared conviction that strategic litigation, can push back against these threats and create space for independent media to survive.
Media Defence holds several Litigation Surgeries throughout the year. Interested in participating in future events? Stay up to date with upcoming opportunities by signing up to our monthly updates here.
Media Defence has also made all of our training materials used during Litigation surgeries freely accessible on our Resource Hub.
Media Defence organised this event alongside FIFAfrica25, hosted by CIPESA.
