Course description
Freedom of Expression and Information in the Time of Globalization: Foundational Course
In 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was promulgated, defining freedom of expression as the right “to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” The technology revolution of the last two decades has given the world the means to realize this commitment. Technology has shaped, reshaped, and radically transformed the production and distribution of information, profoundly impacting whole societies and greatly influencing, if not defining, information and communication. However, as the course will demonstrate, the foundation of a global protection of freedom of protection and information largely predates the IT revolution of the last decade. This course will present and analyse the global norms that have emerged over time to enshrine the protection of freedom of expression and information, across and above national and regional differences.
Upcoming start dates
Suitability - Who should attend?
Prerequisites
None
Outcome / Qualification etc.
What you'll learn
- The principles and values behind the protection of freedom of expression and information
- The international standards and legal tests governing freedom of expression and how courts around the world have implemented them
- The extent and limits to freedom of expression, particularly as applied to political speech, the media, and information held by governments.
Training Course Content
MAKING A CASE FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION: VALUES
- Introduction and Overview of the Class
- Why Freedom of Expression matters: The Search for Truth
- Why Freedom of Expression matters: Self-Development and Tolerance
- Why Freedom of Expression matters: Democracy and Development
- Freedom of Expression: The Right to Truth and Summar
INTERNATIONAL NORMS ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
- Introduction and Overview
- Post WW2, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and freedom of Expression and Information
- Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
- The European Convention and Freedom of Expression (article 10)
- The Inter-American Convention on Human Rights and Freedom of Expression (article 13)
- The African Convention of Human and People’s Rights
- Middle East and Asia Pacific
- The US First Amendment
LEGITIMATE RESTRICTIONS TO FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
- Introduction and Overview
- The Scope of Article 19 and its Regional Equivalents
- The Three Part Test: Legality
- The Three Part Test: Valid Grounds
- The Three Part Test: Necessary
SCOPE OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
- Introduction and Overview
- Political Speech
- Speech of Public Officials
- Access to Government-Held Information
SCOPE OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION (2)
- Press Freedom and Media Regulation
- The Regulation of the Written Press
- The Regulation of Broadcasting
- Journalists: Licensing
- Journalists: Protection of Sources
Course delivery details
This course is offered through Colgate University, a partner institute of EdX.
5-12 hours per week
Expenses
- Verified Track -$45
- Audit Track - Free