High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom - Our Reports

Advisory Reports to the Media Freedom Coalition

Throughout 2020, the High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom produced a series of four advisory reports that focus on improving international mechanisms to enforce international human rights norms. The recommendations from the four advisory reports request action from states, including state members of the Media Freedom Coalition, to promote and protect a vibrant free press and ensure the safety of journalists.

Advice on Promoting More Effective Investigations into Abuses Against Journalists

Report on Providing Safe Refuge to Journalists at Risk

A Pressing Concern: Protecting and promoting press freedom by strengthening consular support to journalists at risk

Report on the Use of Targeted Sanctions to Protect Journalists

Freedom of Speech in International Law

In January 2024, Oxford University Press published a textbook titled Freedom of Speech in International Law edited by Lord David Neuberger of Abbotsbury and Ms Amal Clooney. Freedom of Speech in International Law outlines the minimum protections for speech enshrined in international law, focusing on four types of laws that are being weaponized to silence the press and independent voices: laws regulating defamatory or insulting speech, laws regulating false speech, laws regulating hate speech and laws regulating national security. The book provides examples of where states are falling short and makes recommendations about how international standards should be interpreted, updated and enforced.

Recommendations are based on international legal standards that apply to states and that many social media companies have expressed adherence to. The recommendations have been endorsed by the High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom, as well as judges and experts from across the world including the Committee to Protect Journalists, Reporters without Borders, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute.

The full text can be purchased in hard copy or as an e-book here. Five chapters of the book have been extracted into the following reports.

On Religious Freedom and Discontent: Report on International Standards and Blasphemy Laws

International Bar Association is incorporated as a Not-for-Profit Corporation under the laws of the State of New York in the United States of America and is registered with the Department of State of the State of New York with registration number 071114000655 - and the liability of its members is limited. Its registered address in New York is c/o Capitol Services Inc, 1218 Central Avenue, Suite 100, Albany, New York 12205.

The London office of International Bar Association is registered in England and Wales as a branch with registration number FC028342.