An amazing year for freedom of expression (guest blog)

In terms of events that have shaken the world, and particularly those related to freedom of expression and access to information, the last 12 months have been exceptional. I am proud to be a trustee of Article 19 which campaigns for freedom of expression across the globe. The director, Agnes Callamard wrote the Article 19 board an excellent summary of this extraordinary year, so I asked her to let me publish it. Here it is

Challenges to, and Manifesto for, Fact-Finding in a Time of Disinformation

Liberal and democratic values are in jeopardy, as is the rules-based international system and the norms it embodies, both being subject to multiple attacks that, once taboo, now, quite to the contrary, are both claimed and carried out with pride. This Article assesses the current human rights environment from the perspective of a United Nations factfinder. The impact of technological advancement on the human rights framework and the process of evidence-gathering is discussed, particularly regarding the spread of misinformation. The Article concludes with a manifesto for fact-finding as a pathway to knowledge and justice

Regardless of Frontiers: Global Freedom of Expression in a Troubled World

The United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 proclaimed a vision of freedom of expression exercised regardless of frontiers. Nonetheless, laws and norms regarding the freedom or limits of expression are typically established and understood at the national level. In today’s interconnected world, newfound threats to free expression have suddenly arisen. How can this fundamental right be secured at a global level? This volume brings together leading experts from a variety of fields to critically evaluate the extent to which global norms on freedom of expression and information have been established and which actors and institutions have contributed to their diffusion. The authors also consider ongoing and new challenges to these norms, from conflicts over hate speech and the rise of populism to authoritarian governments, as well as the profound disruption introduced by the internet. Together, the essays lay the groundwork for an international legal doctrine on global freedom of expression that considers issues such as access to government-held information, media diversity, and political speech. As the world risks renouncing previous commitments to the freedom of expression, Regardless of Frontiers serves as a timely reminder of just how much is at stake and what needs protecting.https://scholarship.law.columbia.edu/books/1360/thumbnail.jp

Regardless of Frontiers: Global Freedom of Expression in a Troubled World

The United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 proclaimed a vision of freedom of expression exercised regardless of frontiers. Nonetheless, laws and norms regarding the freedom or limits of expression are typically established and understood at the national level. In today’s interconnected world, newfound threats to free expression have suddenly arisen. How can this fundamental right be secured at a global level? This volume brings together leading experts from a variety of fields to critically evaluate the extent to which global norms on freedom of expression and information have been established and which actors and institutions have contributed to their diffusion. The authors also consider ongoing and new challenges to these norms, from conflicts over hate speech and the rise of populism to authoritarian governments, as well as the profound disruption introduced by the internet. Together, the essays lay the groundwork for an international legal doctrine on global freedom of expression that considers issues such as access to government-held information, media diversity, and political speech. As the world risks renouncing previous commitments to the freedom of expression, Regardless of Frontiers serves as a timely reminder of just how much is at stake and what needs protecting.https://scholarship.law.columbia.edu/books/1360/thumbnail.jp