Freedom of press: Laws and organizations
We provide a list of links to international laws and organizations that might help you to deal with censorship.
Regional committees on Human Rights and articles that refer to freedom of speech and press
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
Article IV of the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Persons:
“Every person has the right to freedom of investigation, of opinion, and of the expression and dissemination of ideas, by any medium whatsoever” (IACHR, 1948, Art. IV).
European Court of Human Rights
Article 10 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms:
1. Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers. This article shall not prevent States from requiring the licensing of broadcasting, television or cinema enterprises.
2. The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or the rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary (ECHR, 1950, Art. 10).
African Commission of Human and People’s Rights
Article 9 of the African Charter of Human and People’s Rights
1. Every individual shall have the right to receive information.
2. Every individual shall have the right to express and disseminate his opinions within the law (ACHPR, 1981, Art. 9).
Asian Charter of Human Rights: The Right to Democracy
Article 5.2 The state, which claims to have the primary responsibility for the development and well-being of the people, should be humane, open and accountable. The corollary of the respect for human rights is a tolerant and pluralistic system, in which people are free to express their views and to seek to persuade others and in which the rights of minorities are respected. People must participate in public affairs, through the electoral and other decision-making and implementing processes, free from racial, religious or gender discrimination (AHRC, 1986, Art. 5.2).
Article 13.1 Students in Asia struggled against colonialism and fought for democratization and social justice. As a result of their fearless commitment to social transformation they have often suffered from state violence and repression and remain as one of the key targets for counter-insurgency operations and internal security laws and operations. Students are frequently denied the right to academic freedom and to the freedoms of expression and association (AHRC, 1986, Art. 13.1).
Enforcement of Rights
Article 15. Many Asian states have guarantees of human rights in their constitutions, and many of them have ratified international instruments on human rights. However, there continues to be a wide gap between rights enshrined in these documents and the abject reality that denies people their rights. Asian states must take urgent action to implement the human rights of their citizens and residents (AHRC, 1986, Art. 13.1).
International non-governmental, non-profit organizations that defend freedom of press
Committee to Protect Journalists
International Freedom of Expression Exchange
International Federation of Journalist
International Center for Journalists
Organizations that defend student press
Student Press Law Center, U.S.
