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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Censorship by private actors
The internet has given extraordinary decision-making power to private actors, who often face little scrutiny or oversight over their behaviour and how it may affect access to information and freedom of expression.
View this themeAdvanced Module 5: Trends in Censorship by Private Actors (sub-Saharan Africa)
Provides an overview of the current ways in which non-state actors are facilitating online censorship.
Attorney General of Malaysia v Mkini Dotcom Sdn Bhd (2021)
The Federal Court of Malaysia held that an online news website which had published comments by its subscribers which criticised the judiciary was guilty of contempt of court, despite the website removing the comments within twelve minutes of being informed by the police.
Mineral Sands Resources and Another v Christine Reddell and Others (2021)
The High Court of South Africa found that a mining company had been abusing judicial processes to intimidate, distract and silence public criticism, and dismissed a defamation case as a SLAPP suit.
United States v Alvarez (2012)
In the majority opinion of the United States Supreme Court, Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote that “[t]he remedy for speech that is false is speech that is true. This is the ordinary course in a free society.”
ECtHR Vindicates Hidden Camera’s Role in Watchdog Journalism
Társaság a Szabadságjogokért v Hungary (2009)
The European Court of Human Rights held that the right to freedom of expression included the right to access information under the control of public authorities.
Curi et al v Globo Comunicação e Participações S/A (2021)
The Brazilian Federal Supreme Court held that a general right to be forgotten is incompatible with the Federal Constitution.
P.H. v O.G (2016)
The Belgian Court of Cassation recognised the right to be forgotten.
Summary Module 1: Key Principles of International Law and Freedom of Expression (sub-Saharan Africa)
Overview of the right to freedom of expression and how it is protected under international law.