CPDP 2019: Content regulation and its impact on democracy - HTML5 video

Internet platforms have become important fora of public debate, offering tools for increased democratic participation and engagement. The central role of internet platforms enables them to wield considerable control over online speech. Platforms effectively have the power to decide what content to disseminate and what content to remove. The same power is used to adjust content according to the profiles of users developed on the basis of their personal data. Recent scandals have shown that platforms can be misused as instruments of misinformation, propaganda and manipulation. Policy makers try to address the issue by regulating or by incentivising platforms to adopt codes of conduct.

CPDP 2019: The GDPR and the freedom of expression - A rocky relationship - HTML5 video

Art. 85 GDPR leaves most of the responsibility to reconcile the right to the protection of personal data pursuant to the GDPR with the right to freedom of expression and information (Art. 11 CFR) to the member states. However, many states did little to nothing to pass specific rules to relieve the mentioned addressees. Thus, has the situation for the freedom of expression fundamentally changed? To what extent do certain rules of the GDPR enable or require a media-friendly interpretation? Which member states fulfilled their obligations to pass rules under Art. 85 GDPR? Could the lack of such rules enable a misuse of Data Protection Law that could jeopardise media freedoms? 

Disinformation and propaganda – impact on the functioning of the rule of law in the EU and its Member States - Reports

This study, commissioned by the  European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs and requested by the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil  Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, assesses the  impact of disinformation and strategic political propaganda disseminated through online social media sites

Civil Defamation and Media Freedom in Hungary - Reports

A study about legislation and case law after the adoption of a new Civil Code in 2014 which introduced restitution (financial compensation) instead of non-pecuniary damages. How these changes affect journalists and freedom of expression in a system where legislative texts are very succinctly worded

Need of anonymous FOI applications for investigative journalism - Legal Resources

FOIAs are an important instrument for investigative journalists, who are however endangered by the lack of anonymity of the process to access public documents and can be subject to intimidations submitting their phone number and postal and home address

Disinformation - Article

The sixth of a series of thematic itineraries to explore the Resource Centre on Media Freedom through a curated aggregation of contents.

GLASNOST! Nine ways Facebook can make itself a better forum for free speech and democracy - Reports

The report analyses how Facebook has tackled specific issues concerning political information and political speech, and then suggests nine ways to make the platform a better forum for free speech and democracy

Romania’s press freedom fall - Reports

This short report by Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF) describes the current situation in Romanian media as press freedom has sharply declined in recent years. The country ranked 44th out of 180 countries in RSF’s 2018 World Press Freedom Index

Guide to Advertising Technology - Reports

Journalists need to know how advertising technology works

Digital Defenders Partnership - Support Centres

The Digital Defenders Partnership (DDP) was formed in 2012 by the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC). The aim of the DDP is to protect and advance internet freedom, and to keep the internet free from emerging threats, specifically in repressive environments. DDP coordinates emergency support for individuals and organizations such as human rights defenders, journalists, civil society activists, and bloggers. The DDP affirm to have "a people-centered approach, focusing on our core values of transparency, human rights, inclusivity & diversity, equality, confidentiality, and freedom".

The DDP has three different types of funding that address urgent emergency situations, as well as longer-term grants focused on building capacity within an organization. Furthermore, DDP coordinates a Digital Integrity Fellowship where organizations receive personalized digital security and privacy trainings, and a Rapid Response Network program.