Read this article in Spanish here.
Following the success of the inaugural Education Series, ROOSTERGNN publishes a new Special Series focused on freedom of expression. As the founding value of ROOSTERGNN itself, freedom of expression is an issue that concerns each and every one of us – whether we are political journalists fighting to expose atrocities or civilians posting our opinions on the Internet, it is a fundamental human right.
Free speech was officially recognized by the United Nations in 1948, in Article 19 of the International Declaration of Human Rights. Without casting any legal obligation, the declaration sought to set a “common standard of achievement for all people and all nations” and to “promote respect for these rights and freedoms… to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance.” Over 65 years later, technology has advanced, political thought has modernized, ideas that were once radical or outlandish are widely accepted, yet countries which claim to be defenders of free speech and expression continue to withhold and restrict this essential democratic right.
Whilst estimating the degrees of freedom of expression in individual countries can be a difficult task, there are numerous factors that can be considered. Last year, 211 journalists were jailed worldwide under charges such as bribery, possession of drugs, possession of firearms and inciting religious hatred, to name a few. Numerous cases of the journalists being tortured under questioning were also reported. Facebook is banned in ten countries worldwide, including China, Cuba, and Pakistan. Over 300 companies in 38 countries world-wide are developing surveillance technology to sell to authoritarian dictatorships, allowing them to access individual computers or intercept mass communication.
Journalists in Prison | Reporters Without Borders
Where are journalists imprisoned throughout the world? ROOSTERGNN, citing data from Reports Without Borders’ Journalists Imprisoned Study, breaks down the 31 countries that hosted jails with journalists from January to July 2014. China tops this list at 30 journalists imprisoned.
Press Freedom Index | Reporters Without Borders
How has freedom of the press changed over the past 10 years? ROOSTERGNN compares Reporters Without Borders’ Press Freedom Index reports from 2004 and 2014. The countries are ordered by their average score from the two years; a higher index signifies lower press freedom.
Some people of the world feel safe and protected in their democratic societies and others feel constantly at risk of punishment for publically – or privately – expressing their views. For both metaphorical hemispheres there are countless issues to be recognized and serious progress for which to fight.
In this Special Series, ROOSTERGNN publishes articles by and interviews with experts, academics and journalists, as well as multimedia creations from international artists. From country-specific analyses to discussions on globally relevant problems, the series examines the true state of freedom of expression in today’s society. All articles will be available in English and Spanish.
- “Turkey Triumphs in Jailing Journalists.” Exclusive interview by Angie Ivan with OSCE representative Dunja Mijatović.
- “Fighting Radicalism and Extremism.” Exclusive ROOSTERGNN interview with Erin Saltman, senior researcher at the Quilliam Foundation.
- “Is Freedom of the Press Real?” Exclusive ROOSTERGNN interview with Justin Scholsberg, lecturer at Birbeck University London, UK.
- “Media Lockdown in Myanmar.” Exclusive ROOSTERGNN interview with Francis Wade, freelance journalist and expert on Myanmar.
- “The Global Rights Divide.” Exclusive ROOSTERGNN interview with Dimitrina Petrova, founder of the Equal Rights Trust.
- “Turkey, Silencing the Masses.” Exclusive ROOSTERGNN interview with Jodie Ginsberg, CEO of Index on Censorship.
- “These Streets.” Video by Clary Estes, freelance photographer and filmmaker.
- “Free Expression Is Not a Luxury.” Exclusive ROOSTERGNN interview with Guy Berger, Director for Freedom of Expression and Media Development at UNESCO.
- “Join the Modern Day Sit-In” by Sharlita Green, recent awardee of a Master of Architecture degree from Hampton University.
- “Freedom of Expression: A Right Not Yet Consolidated” by Beatriz Clara Monerri Molina, Lawyer and member of the Management Committee at the Universidad Complutense in Madrid, Spain.
- “Freedom of Expression and Negationism in Genocides” by Xavier Boltaina, Law Professor and Intelligence Service Specialist at the Instituto Universitario General Gutiérrez Mellado, Spain.
- “Finding China’s Voice (Part 1)” by Zhang Siqi, International Journalism Lecturer at Jilin University in Changchun, China.
- “Finding China’s Voice (Part 2)” by Buck Ryan, director of the Citizen Kentucky Project of the Scripps Howard First Amendment Center.
- “Our Rights are like Muscles.” Exclusive ROOSTERGNN interview with Peter Bradley, former Labor Member of Parliament and director of Speakers’ Corner Trust.
- “Security Algorithms Threaten Individuals.” Exclusive ROOSTERGNN interview with Dr Agnes Callamard, former executive director of Article 19.
- “Where is Journalism Heading?” Exclusive ROOSTERGNN interview with Joshua Benton, director of the Neiman Journalism Lab at Harvard University.
- “The Power of Blogging.” Exclusive ROOSTERGNN interview with Paul Bradshaw, founder of online investigative journalism crowd-sourcing site Help Me Investigate.