Each theme contains useful resources for lawyers on freedom of expression, click below to get started.
An overview of the multi-faceted right to freedom of expression and how it is protected under international law.
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.
An overview of the ways in which access to the internet and online content are restricted around the world.
An overview of freedom of expression issues in the law, including how defamation is treated in domestic and international law.
An overview of the right to privacy, data protection, and protecting freedom of expression in a digital world.
Describes the different types of cybercrimes, tracks the trends, and evaluates how cybercrimes are dealt with in international law.
An overview of hate speech and how it is dealt with both under domestic and international law.
An overview of the ways in which access to content and freedom of expression online are restricted by private actors.
An overview of false news, misinformation and propaganda, including causes and potential solutions..
An overview of the various rights and concepts which encompass digital rights.
Strategic litigation is a key tool being used to uphold freedom of expression and to advance digital rights.
View this themeThe United Kingdom Supreme Court created a new sub-category of the ‘reasonable reader’ of a social media post in analysing the intended meaning of a statement, rather than relying on a more traditional and formal understanding of language.
The ECOWAS Court held that an applicant will not have standing if an issue raised does not fall within the requisite standing provisions, which are fairly broad.
The East African Court of Justice found that a Burundian law that restricted disseminating information that may be seen to be critical of the state, and forced journalists to reveal their sources was a violation of the EAC Treaty.
The European Court of Human Rights held that although the sum awarded in a defamation case was not objectively large, “it was very substantial when compared to the modest incomes and resources of the . . . applicant . . .”.
The Constitutional Court of South Africa ordered the President to withdraw his signature from the 2014 SADC Protocol, as his signature to the Protocol was found to be unconstitutional, unlawful and irrational.
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.
Although this matter did not pertain directly to digital rights, the ACHPR demonstrated its willingness to deal with non-state actors, state obligations, and to engage with NGOs.
The Tanzanian High Court condemned the Tanzanian President’s decision regarding the suspension of the SADC Tribunal.
The East African Court of Justice ruled in favour of upholding the fundamental right to freedom of expression and called for the repeal of vague and broad provisions that seek to stifle freedom of expression.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights established the “. . . actio popularis approach where the author of a communication need not know or have any relationship with the victim. This is to enable poor victims of human rights violations on the continent to receive assistance from NGOs and individuals far removed from…