In this book, the author explores how search media can be incorporated into freedom of expression doctrine, as well as media and communications law and policy more generally. And the book develops a theory of the legal relations between national governments and search media providers on the one hand and between end-users and information providers on the other. Among the many issues covered are the following: role of government under the right to freedom of expression; lack of transparency about the ranking and selection of search results; search engine and ISP intermediary liability; filtering by access providers; freedom of expression and the governance of public libraries; the search engine market, its business model and the separation rule for advertising; search engine self-regulation; user profiling and personalization; decisions and actions for which search engines should be able to claim protection. The analysis draws on specific legal developments under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights and the United States First Amendment, and investigates issues of diversity, pluralism, and freedom of expression as they relate to editorial control in other media. The author concludes with recommendations regarding search engine governance and the proper role of government, indicating which existing elements of the regulatory framework for search media can be improved and offering directions for future legal and empirical research. Considering the ever-growing cultural, political, and economic importance of the Internet and the World Wide Web in our societies, and the societal interests involved in the availability of effective search tools, this first in-depth legal analysis of search engine freedom will prove indispensable to the many practitioners and policymakers concerned with freedom of expression in the digital age.

The principles of freedom of expression have been developed over centuries. How are they reserved and passed on? How can large internet gatekeepers be required to respect freedom of expression and to contribute actively to a diverse and plural marketplace of ideas? These are key issues for media regulation, and will remain so for the foreseeable decades. The book starts with the foundations of freedom of expression and freedom of the press, and then goes on to explore the general issues concerning the regulation of the internet as a specific medium. It then turns to analysing the legal issues relating to the three most important gatekeepers whose operations directly affect freedom of expression: ISPs, search engines and social media platforms. Finally it summarises the potential future regulatory and media policy directions. The book takes a comparative legal approach, focusing primarily on English and American regulations, case law and jurisprudential debates, but it also details the relevant international developments (Council of Europe, European Union) as well as the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights.

Internet intermediaries play a unique role in linking authors of content and audiences. They may either protect or jeopardize end user rights to free expression, given their role in capturing, storing, searching, sharing, transferring and processing large amount of information, data and user-generated content. This research aims to identify principles for good practices and processes that are consistent with international standards for free expression that Internet intermediaries may follow in order to protect the human rights of end users online.

This publication offers a groundbreaking look at recent evolutions in media freedom, independence, pluralism and journalist safety. These areas are explored in depth in each region and with respect to gender and global media. The overarching trend observed throughout the study is one of disruption brought on by technology and to a lesser extent the global economic crisis, with mixed results for freedom of expression and media development. World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development is a key resource for governments, the media, academia, the private sector and civil society, and is an essential read for anyone interested in the contemporary media environment.

The processes of convergence and digitalization have altered the technological conditions in which the press operates. More than that, they have altered the environment in which the press stakes its claim to freedom and strives to protect its turf from other media players. The advent of internet-based services and applications has blurred the technological boundaries between the press, broadcasting, and telecommunications, challenging their regulatory silos. Press Freedom and Regulation in a Digital Era: A Comparative Study assesses the extent to which the emergent regulatory model for online news media is shaped by analogies from the past, or rather by a newly prevalent culture of control. By interweaving two distinct strands of analysis - the concepts of press freedom and regulation, and the phenomena of convergence and digitalization - this book examines the key implications of digitalization and assesses the challenges for press freedom in the nascent digital news ecosystem. Drawing upon decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), as well as from cases in Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States, this comparative work comprehensively explores the regulation of the press in the digital era and the impact of the proliferating media laws, policies, and jurisprudence on press freedom. Irini Katsirea identifies the regulatory ruptures that persist and makes concrete and timely recommendations for the evolving online news ecosystem.

"This publication seeks to identify the relationship between freedom of expression and Internet privacy, assessing where they support or compete with each other in different circumstances. The book maps out the issues in the current regulatory landscape of Internet privacy from the viewpoint of freedom of expression. It provides an overview of legal protection, self-regulatory guidelines, normative challenges, and case studies relating to the topic. With this publication UNESCO aims to provide its Member States and other stakeholders, national and international, with a useful reference tool containing up-to-date and sharp information on emerging issues relevant to both developed and developing countries. Multiple stakeholders, preferably in dialogue, can use it in their own spheres of operation, adapting where appropriate from the range of experiences as recorded in these pages. The publication also supplies additional sources of reference for interested readers to use to further investigate each of the subjects highlighted. The publication explores a range of issues, such as: (1) threats to privacy that have developed through the Internet, (2) international legal standards on privacy and responses to these emerging issues, (3) complex intersections between the rights to privacy and freedom of expression, (4) UNESCO recommendations to states and corporations for better practice, (5) overview of literature, background material and tools on international and national policy and practice on privacy and freedom of expression on the Internet. In the coming years, UNESCO will specifically seek to disseminate information about good practices and international collaboration concerning the points of intersection between freedom of expression and privacy. Research on safeguarding the principle of freedom of expression in Internet policy across a range of issues will continue to be part of UNESCO's normative mandate and technical advice to stakeholders."--Publisher's description

Data privacy law in Africa: Emerging perspectives delves into the profound impact of data privacy on individuals, businesses, and governments across the continent. Experts from diverse African nations provide a comprehensive view of the evolving regulatory frameworks guiding data privacy, exploring its legal, social, economic, and cultural implications. Examining emerging contexts such as Artificial Intelligence, vulnerable groups, and the challenges presented by COVID-19, the book sheds light on the present and envisions future trajectories in data governance. A valuable resource for those navigating the intricate intersection of law and technology in Africa, offering innovative solutions and best practices for enhanced data privacy.

The main objectives of media regulation in Europe are to protect media freedom, to ensure the social responsibility of the media, and to prevent harm caused by speech published through the media. This book examines the way in which these are reflected in European legal regimes and jurisprudence at the supranational, regional, and national levels. It addresses the theoretical considerations behind the protection and restriction of media freedom. It starts from the assumption that there is a common European ideal of media freedom as a human right. Apart from EU law, and in many cases similar national regulations, many common points can be identified across Europe in the theoretical underpinnings of this right, and the history of struggles for this freedom in different European countries also shows common features. While the focus is on media freedom in Europe, the work also discusses the uniquely distinct concept of freedom of expression and of the media that is prevalent in the US, the principles of which have a significant impact in Europe. The book uses a comparative method, in part, as it attempts to outline the common regulatory framework for the idea of media freedom on a European scale. The reference to national laws and court decisions is intended to illustrate this picture, looking primarily at what binds European states together. The work will be a valuable resource for those working in the areas of public law, media law, media studies, comparative law, international human rights law, and legal philosophy.

This book analyses the role of businesses in regulating and influencing the exercise of free speech on the internet.