The Role of Academia in Protecting Freedom of Expression as a Driver for Other Human Rights

Posted on: 13 February 2024 in Posts

In May 2023, we co-organised the academic conference for UNESCO’s World Press Freedom Day with the Centre for Global Freedom of Expression at Columbia University, USA, and the University of Sheffield.

The hybrid event was hosted at Columbia University in New York and was formally opened by UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General of Communication and Information, Prof Tawfik Jelassi. The event featured a range of research contributions, including the weaponization of law against journalists, digital harassment, impunity and safety conditions for journalists covering conflicts. The event drew an audience from across the globe and can be rewatched at the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYbQOKH7PkA

As part of the event, Drs Vera Slavtcheva-Petkova, Emily Harmer, Rosalynd Southern and Christos Kostopoulos were invited to attend World Press Freedom Day event at the United Nations Headquarters. The team are currently working on a one-stop-shop website to host resources, NGO profiles and academic research related to journalists’ safety issues in a global context.