A group of media lawyers in South East Asia have formed a network aimed at promoting learning and cooperation among members of the group. Initiated at a conference in Hong Kong in 2007, the Network has worked together on individual cases, led trial observations to criminal trials against journalists in Thailand and Malaysia as well as to the trial against one of their group – Vietnamese lawyer Le Cong Dinh, currently serving a prison sentence for pro-democracy activities – and organised national and regional media law workshops.
The Media Legal Defence Initiative is a longstanding supporter to the Network. We provide financial support for networking activities and expertise on comparative media law to the group.
Recent News
Landmark Ruling: Kenya’s High Court Declares Colonial-era Subversion Laws Unconstitutional
Media Defence welcomes the verdict of the High Court in Nakuru, striking down sections of the Kenyan Penal Code which criminalise subversion, citing them as relics of colonial oppression that curtail freedom of expression. Justice Samwel Mohochi, delivering the judgment, asserted that these provisions were overly broad and vague, stifling dissent rather than serving any […]
UN Rapporteurs Call for Protection of Brazilian Journalist Schirlei Alves
UN Rapporteurs Call for Protection of Brazilian Journalist Schirlei Alves Amid Defamation Charges Stemming from Rape Trial Coverage A letter dispatched by UN rapporteurs to the Brazilian Government calls for protective measures for women journalists covering cases of sexual crimes. The letter also denounces the conviction of Brazilian investigative journalist and women’s rights defender, Schirlei […]
Convite à apresentação de candidaturas: Cirurgia de litígio em português na África Subsariana
Cirurgia de litígio em português na África Subsariana Aplique aqui 23 a 25 de julho de 2024 em Nairobi, Quénia Prazo: 3 de maio A Media Defence está a convidar advogados sediados na África Subsariana que falem português a candidatarem-se a participar numa próxima cirurgia de litígio sobre o direito à liberdade de expressão e […]