COVID-19 and the Digital Divide in Indian Island-territories
The lack of access to high speed internet within Indian island territories is a violation of digital equality, and a host of connected rights. This has been further exacerbated during...
Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression
National Security and Constitutional Rights: Recent Developments in Hong Kong
The Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the “Law”) aims to safeguard national security by criminalising activities capable...
Brazil’s ‘fake news’ bill threatens to harm internet freedom and individual rights
The Brazilian Senate approved a bill to fight fake news on 30 June 2020. The bill now goes to the lower house and will need the President’s approval afterwards. This...
Freedom of Expression and Information in the Coronavirus Era
As 1/3 of the global population faces some form of lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus, Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has issued a statement reiterating...
Covid-19 in Sri Lanka: Is Free Speech the next Victim?
On 1 April 2020, Sri Lanka’s police announced that it would arrest those who disseminate false or disparaging statements about government officials combating the spread of the Covid-19 virus. In...
The Filipino Anti-False Content Bill: Fake News and Free Expression
On 1 July 2019, the ‘Anti-False Content Bill’ was introduced in the Senate of the Philippines, seeking to ‘protect the public from the deleterious effects of false and deceiving content...
The Communications Blackout in Kashmir: The Rebirth of a ‘National Security’ Court?
On October 1st, the Indian Supreme Court heard petitions relating to the media and communications blackout in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) following the government’s effective abrogation of Article 370 on...
Blurred Lines: When Free Speech Becomes Hate Speech
On the 27th of August 2019, the South African Constitutional Court (Court) heard its first substantive hate speech case in relation to statements made by Bongani Masuku, as Head of...
Human Rights and Internet Shut-Downs in Jammu & Kashmir
The developments in Valleys of Jammu and Kashmir (hereinafter J&K or valley) has witnessed innumerable counts of pre-emptive internet shut downs. Amidst the recent political disruption, this is the 54th...
Should government employees be able to criticise the government?
In Australia, the Australian Public Service (‘APS’) is statutorily required to be ‘apolitical, performing its functions in an impartial and professional manner’ (s 10(1) of the Public Service Act 1999...
The Eroding Foundations of Freedom of Information in India
The right to information is often understood as essential for the effective exercise of the right to expression, including within the latter’s ambit, not just information disseminators, but also information...
Hong Kong’s anti-extradition movement and common law judges’ extrajudicial opinions
During the recent anti-extradition movement in Hong Kong, a High Court judge participated by signing a petition against the controversial bill amendments, which was considered inappropriate by the Chief Justice....
Become A Contributor To The Blog
