15/10/2024
๐๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฎ ๐ ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฎ ๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ก๐ฒ๐๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ ๐๐๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฎ ๐ช๐ฒ๐ฏ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐ฟ ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ป๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ถ๐ฟ ๐ฆ๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐
On October 10, with support from the USAID Media Activity, seven members of the Liberia Media Lawyers Network participated in a webinar session organized by the Centre for Law and Democracy (CLD) on international freedom of expression standards. These standards provide particular protection to journalists, with a focus on whistleblower protections, protection of sources, and anti-strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP) measures.
The online seminar was intended for lawyers from several countries who work at the national level and wish to enhance their understanding of international law standards in these areas, including those who want to align national rules more fully with international human rights. Participants included lawyers and journalists from Liberia, Ghana, Bangladesh, the United States, Canada and England.
Raphael Vagliano, the Legal Officer of CLD, presented on Key Protections for Journalists and their Sources. Vagliano said that journalistsโ right not to disclose their sources is an important right that should be guaranteed by law. โStates parties should recognize and respect that element of the right of freedom of expression that embraces the limited journalistic privilege not to disclose information sourcesโ (UN Human Rights Committee, General Comment 34, para. 45). Protection of journalistic sources is one of the primary conditions for press freedom, as is reflected in the laws and the professional codes of conduct in several countries and is affirmed in several international instruments on journalistic freedom. Without such protection, sources may be deterred from assisting the press in informing the public on matters of public interest. As a result, the vital public watchdog role of the media may be undermined, and the ability of the press to provide accurate and reliable information may be adversely affected.
The second presentation was on โThe Deliberate Misuse of the Legal System Abusive lawsuits,โ which were pursued to shut down media outlets and public participation. The Executive of CLD, Toby Mendel, said huge financial and legal actions are directed against individuals and organizationsโincluding journalists, media outlets, whistleblowers, activists, academics, and NGOsโthat speak out on matters of public interest with the sole purpose of shutting them down.
This training is part of the Centre for Law and Democracyโs support for establishing global Networks of Media Lawyers, funded by the Global Media Defense Fund managed by UNESCO. The project seeks to encourage the creation of and support national-level networks of legal professionals working to advance media freedom and freedom of expression. Internews in Liberia connected the Liberia Media Lawyers Network with the CLD for capacity development, knowledge sharing, and networking.
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