Columbia Global Freedom of Expression

📢 Elections, Misinformation, and Disinformation 📢 Don’t miss the streaming of our three insightful panels and a special book promotion! Join expert speakers from institutions like Columbia Law School Columbia | SIPA Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University The University of Alabama School of Law University of Minnesota Law School and many more: https://lnkd.in/g7n43txg

Today, ARTICLE 19 and Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD) released an analysis of China’s proposed Internet ID Measure, which, if enacted, will significantly increase state surveillance and online censorship. Under the measure, users will be forced to verify their identity via facial recognition and national ID before accessing digital platforms—including major sites like WeChat and Taobao. This extends the government’s power to track, monitor, and silence dissent, eroding privacy and putting human rights defenders at greater risk of repression. ARTICLE 19 and CHRD urge international actors to call on China to revise its laws in line with international human rights standards. 🔗 Read our full analysis: https://lnkd.in/eyxMty9B

Congratulations to Anderson J. Dirocie D. for this well-earned recognition!

From the “land of liberty” to “Europe’s last dictatorship,” freedom of expression is shrinking globally. In the U.S., Trump’s recent executive orders claim to “restore free speech,” but experts warn they could open the door to new government overreach. ARTICLE 19 outlines four key priorities for protecting expression in the next four years, emphasizing that free speech cannot be a shield for harassment and discrimination. Meanwhile, in Brazil, former President Bolsonaro was ruled ineligible to run for office for eight years due to abuse of power. In Belarus, Lukashenka secured a seventh term in a widely condemned election, as crackdowns on journalists and dissent intensify. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has now filed a complaint with the ICC against him for crimes against humanity. The family of assassinated Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia condemns the recent release of Yorgen Fenech, who is accused of commissioning her murder, on bail. “The blame for killers being released on bail without any trial date in sight lies with the prime minister and the minister of justice,” said Matthew Caruana Galizia, Daphne’s son. “They had five years to fix the system and did nothing.” Raed about all of this in our latest newsletter. We also bring you two decisions from the U.S. courts: 📌 TikTok Inc. v. Garland – SCOTUS ruled no First Amendment violations in the TikTok ban. 📌 Ohio Telecom Assoc. v. FCC – The Sixth Circuit limited the FCC’s authority over net neutrality. https://lnkd.in/ed-wybvX The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation Paul Caruana Galizia

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Find out how Reporters Shield protects its member newsrooms from legal threats and prohibitive defence costs. Register for our February discovery webinar: 📅 19th February ⏰ 15:00 GMT/ 16:00 CET/ 10:00 EST

In our latest #newsletter, explore the groundbreking U.S. District Court decision in WhatsApp Inc. v. NSO Group Technologies Limited (Dec. 20, 2024). The Court ruled that the NSO Group, as a private company, cannot claim sovereign immunity after using its Pegasus spyware to exploit WhatsApp and monitor over 1,400 individuals—including journalists and activists—without consent. It found that the NSO Group violated U.S. laws (CFAA and CDAFA), breached WhatsApp’s terms of service by reverse-engineering its software, and imposed sanctions for evidence discovery failures. “The partial summary judgment decision is the first major court victory against NSO Group in the world,” Access Now welcomed the ruling in a recent statement. “The District Court decision is a major sign for spyware companies around the world that the period of impunity is winding down.” Together with other rights organizations, Access Now intervened in the case, underscoring the human rights consequences of NSO’s hacking through the stories of victims from Rwanda, Togo, Morocco, and India. Along with the WhatsApp v NSO analysis, we are featuring two cases from #India this week. In Apoorva Aroraa v. State, the Supreme Court expanded expression by ruling that the use of expletives and profane language in creative works does not automatically constitute obscenity under the law. In Theodore v. Registrar General, a High Court ordered the redaction of an acquitted individual’s name and personal details from a judgment available online, citing his right to privacy.  https://lnkd.in/ehKgjNK2

“Daphne’s case is a global test of justice for crimes against journalists”

🚨 Today, on January 24, the Coalition for Media Freedom will stand with students, educators, unions, and citizens across #Serbia by joining the general strike. We support the courageous demands for accountability in the wake of the Novi Sad tragedy and call on all media professionals to demonstrate solidarity: https://lnkd.in/exEuAZsv At 11:52 AM, we urge media outlets to darken screens, pause broadcasts, and amplify the voices fighting for justice and the public interest.

Excellent insights from Elena Lazar and CGFoE expert Joan Barata.