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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Media Defence Digital Rights Litigation Guide
The Media Defence Digital Rights Litigation Guide provides practical information in respect to litigating online freedom of expression cases in East, West and Southern Africa. It includes general tips and strategies as well as specific guidance on bringing cases before the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the East African Court of Justice and ECOWAS Community Court of Justice.
Media Defence Training Manual on Digital Rights and Freedom of Expression Online
The Media Defence Training Manual on Digital Rights and Freedom of Expression Online is designed to assist lawyers represent web-based journalists, bloggers and other online media. It comprises a comprehensive overview of international and comparative law on access to the internet, digital privacy and online data protection as well as specific types of speech-related offences online.
Media Defence Training Manual on Litigation and Freedom of Expression in West Africa
To help equip lawyers to promote freedom of expression we are sharing our West Africa Regional Mechanisms Training Manual which provides tools and advice on litigating in defence of freedom of expression in West Africa.
Arbitrary Detention of Journalists in Vietnam
Keeping the channels open: reflections on the importance of freedom of expression online
Law Society of South Africa and Others v President of the Republic of South Africa and Others (2018)
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.
Big Brother Watch v United Kingdom (2018)
The European Court of Human Rights found some aspects of the UK’s mass surveillance regime to be in violation of the right to privacy and the right to freedom of expression.
NT1 & NT2 v Google LLC (2018)
The England and Wales High Court ruled on requests for personal information to be “delisted” for “deindexed” from Google search results, upholding the request in one case and rejecting it in another.
Savva Terentyev v Russia (2018)
The European Court of Human Rights held that the imposition of a suspended sentence on an individual for posting a provocative comment online that criticized police abuse amounted to a violation of the right to freedom of expression.