Course Description

This exceptional MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) is a comprehensive, five-week training program designed to explore the crucial topic of freedom of expression in the digital age. Offered in seven languages, including the six official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish) plus Portuguese, this course is a collaborative effort between UNESCO, the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights, and the Oxford Faculty of Law. It's tailored for judicial actors, journalists, academics, and professionals worldwide who are interested in understanding and protecting the right to freedom of expression in our rapidly evolving global landscape.

What Students Will Learn

• The general principles and scope of freedom of expression
• Legitimate restrictions on the right to freedom of expression
• The legal frameworks surrounding the right to access information
• The importance of journalist safety and the issue of impunity
• Contemporary digital challenges to freedom of expression and information

Prerequisites

There are no specific prerequisites for this course. However, a basic understanding of law, human rights, or journalism would be beneficial. The course is designed for an intermediate level, making it accessible to professionals and academics with varying backgrounds.

Course Coverage

• International and regional legal frameworks protecting freedom of expression
• The scope and limitations of freedom of expression rights
• The right to access information and its role in democratic processes
• Threats to journalist safety and the challenges of impunity
• Digital transformation and its impact on freedom of expression
• Application of existing legal frameworks to online environments

Target Audience

• Judicial actors (judges, public prosecutors, public defenders, electoral courts, human rights ombudspersons, and court clerks)
• Journalists and media professionals
• Academics and researchers in law, human rights, and related fields
• Legal practitioners and human rights advocates
• Anyone interested in understanding and protecting freedom of expression in the digital age

Real-World Applications

1. Judicial actors can make more informed decisions in cases involving freedom of expression
2. Journalists can better understand their rights and the legal protections available to them
3. Academics can enhance their research and teaching on freedom of expression issues
4. Legal practitioners can more effectively advocate for freedom of expression rights
5. Policymakers can develop more robust and balanced regulations concerning freedom of expression in the digital age

Syllabus

Each week includes core materials, quizzes to test understanding, a discussion forum, and a pre-recorded webinar featuring expert speakers. The course runs from May 29 to June 30, 2023, with flexible completion allowed until July 14, 2023. Participants who successfully complete the course will receive a certificate of completion.