The human right to freedom of expression is being curbed in countries across the globe through both legislative means and heavy-handed application of repressive laws, often in violation of treaty obligations. The results range from self-censorship on the part of journalists and bloggers to the trial and imprisonment of those whose words offend political leaders. Our Media Law Working Group supports the right to freedom of expression around the world through trainings for journalists, lawyers, and activists; legislative review; and strategic litigation in support of the wrongly accused.
As part of this work and with support from UNESCO’s Global Media Defense Fund, ISLP conducted a series of five virtual convenings for local lawyers working on digital rights and media freedom matters in Malawi, Mozambique, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Attended by over 300 lawyers from the five countries, the webinars’ featured presenters included these lawyers and media personnel specializing in human rights and freedom of expression:
- Richard Winfield, chair of ISLP’s Media Law Working Group (MLWG)
- Kay Murray, partner at Baron Harris Healy
- Chilombo Mukena, Chapter One Foundation
- Sally Kestin, Pulitzer-Prize-winning journalist
- Greg Gonzalez, partner at Wilkinson Barker Knauer
- Edrine Wanyama, Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA)
- Catherine Anite, Small Media Foundation
- Jane Chirwa, Media Institute of Southern Africa’s Zambia chapter (MISA Zambia)
- Teresa Ndanga, Media Institute of Southern Africa’s Malawi chapter (MISA Malawi)
- Custodio Duma, American Bar Association in Mozambique
- Hlengiwe Dube, University of Pretoria Centre for Human Rights
- Toby Mendel, Centre for Law and Democracy
- Raphael Vagliano, Centre for Law and Democracy
