Freedom of expression
An overview of the multi-faceted right to freedom of expression and how it is protected under international law.
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Each theme contains useful resources for lawyers on freedom of expression, click below to get started.
Digital rights
Understanding digital rights is crucial to protecting human rights, as little of our lives today is immune from the forces of technology and the internet.
Restricting Internet access & online content
An overview of the ways in which access to the internet and online content are restricted around the world.
Defamation & reputation
An overview of freedom of expression issues in the law, including how defamation is treated in domestic and international law.
Privacy, security & data protection
An overview of the right to privacy, data protection, and protecting freedom of expression in a digital world.
Cybercrimes
Describes the different types of cybercrimes, tracks the trends, and evaluates how cybercrimes are dealt with in international law.
Hate speech
An overview of hate speech and how it is dealt with both under domestic and international law.
Censorship by private actors
An overview of the ways in which access to content and freedom of expression online are restricted by private actors.
False news, misinformation & propaganda
An overview of false news, misinformation and propaganda, including causes and potential solutions..
Litigating freedom of expression
An overview of the various rights and concepts which encompass digital rights.
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Akbar v Ramani (2021)
The Assistant Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Rouse Avenue District Courts, New Delhi dismissed a complaint of criminal defamation against a journalist for allegedly tarnishing the reputation of another journalist and politician by publishing accusations of sexual harassment in the wake of the #MeToo movement.
Advanced Module 1: General Overview of Trends in Digital Rights Globally (sub-Saharan Africa)
Sets out trends and expected developments in the context of the right of access to information, particularly trends that pose a threat to access to information.
Emerging Trend: Intermediary Liability
The rise of the ‘big tech giants’ has occasioned dramatic changes in the global information eco-system, including the ways in which people access news and public information, and how the news media generates income and connects with their audiences. It has also created complications with how illegal or rights-violating content, such as hate speech, is dealt with.
Disini v the Secretary of Justice (2014)
The Supreme Court of Philippines ruled that several provisions of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 violated freedom of expression and privacy.
Module 7: Cybercrimes (South and Southeast Asia Module Series)
As access to the internet continues to grow rapidly in Asia, cybercrimes are becoming ever more prevalent and dangerous. However, laws which regulate criminal activity on the internet, or cybercrimes laws, are increasingly providing tools for the state to suppress dissent and the media. Part of the Modules on Litigating Freedom of Expression and Digital Rights in South and Southeast Asia.
Explaining the Issues: Criminal Libel
In our Explaining the Issues series, we explain legal issues faced by the media – this instalment covers criminal libel.
Rout v State of Odisha (2020)
The High Court of Orissa, India held that the right to be forgotten is an integral part of the right to privacy and that there must be a mechanism through which a victim can protect her privacy by having the content deleted from the servers of intermediaries.
Advanced Module 2: Restricting Access and Content (sub-Saharan Africa)
Provides an overview of the current mechanisms through which access to the internet and access to content is restricted.
Media Defence Training Manual on International and Comparative Media and Freedom of Expression Law
The Media Defence manual on international and comparative media and freedom of expression law consists of a 136-page guide to international and comparative freedom of expression law, introducing topics ranging from defamation to national security restrictions on free speech.