Safeguarding Independent Journalism: Cross-Regional Reflections on Litigating Digital Rights

In the pivotal election year of 2024, independent journalism, particularly in the online sphere, has never been more crucial. However, the increasing importance of journalism has also led to heightened threats and legal challenges against reporters by those seeking to stifle critical speech.
This session seeks to shed light on the legal mechanisms and support structures crucial for providing legal protection for journalists in the face of these challenges.

With representatives from civil society organisations in Liberia, South Africa, Togo, and Uganda, the panel will explore the role of legal support for journalists in sub-Saharan Africa and discuss challenges and opportunities these organisations have encountered.

This session will bring together representatives from sub-Saharan Africa to share insights on legal mechanisms and strategies for safeguarding journalists in the digital sphere and to identify best practices for using litigation to protect independent journalism across different contexts. By fostering collaboration and sharing best practices, the session seeks to contribute to a strengthened foundation for online press freedom in the year ahead and beyond.

Media Defence will chair the panel and facilitate the discussion between CACIT (Togo), CFE (South Africa), Netpil (Uganda), and VOSIEDA (Liberia). The discussion will delve into issues such as the way powerful actors attempt to use the legal system to target journalists, online disinformation and media insecurity in legal proceedings, reflecting both national and regional challenges and mechanisms.