Freedom of expression
An overview of the multi-faceted right to freedom of expression and how it is protected under international law.
Browse by theme
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.
Browse resource library
results found
Filter by
Close filters
results found
Restricting Internet access & online content
The internet was created to facilitate the free flow of information, and as such offers an array of opportunities for the realisation of human rights. However, impediments to the internet’s use for the advancement of human rights seem to be growing.
View this themeThe European Court Considers Media Defence’s Joint Intervention in Important Decision on Intermediary Liability
Media Defence Files Intervention at European Court Seeking to Protect Anonymity of Users Online
How Far Does the “Right to be Forgotten” Extend? Crucial Case Referred to Court of Justice of the European Union
Defamation Liability Should Not Extend to Publishers for Hyperlinking – Media Defence Files Intervention to European Court
Using Strategic Litigation to Challenge Internet Shutdowns – Challenges and Successes (FIFAfrica21)
Reports of internet shutdowns and social media blocking are increasing in Africa and governments are becoming more sophisticated in their approaches. As more courts hand down decisions, this panel at #FIFAfrica21 examine how that jurisprudence can be used to counter this. The panel focuses on challenges and opportunities for litigators when trying to achieve positive judgments in Africa.
The panellists discuss challenging internet shutdowns within domestic courts and regional mechanisms in Africa and outline their experiences of strategic litigation in the context of internet shutdowns and social media blocking. This includes discussing recent applications to ECOWAS challenging the shutdown in Guinea and the Twitter ban in Nigeria.
European Court Finds Turkey Violated Cumhuriyet Journalists’ Rights to Liberty and Security, Freedom of Expression, Detained in the Crackdown Following July 2016 Coup
Explaining the Issues: The Right to be Forgotten
In our Explaining the Issues series, we explain legal issues faced by the media – this instalment covers the right to be forgotten.