Freedom of expression in the African media and digital policy landscape from edX

The course’s foundation is an overview of the principles of freedom of expression and access to information and how these apply to media and online freedoms in Africa today. These freedoms are basic human rights, recognised the world over and codified in international and African documents as well as many national laws. The course offers a frame for assessing whether any restrictions on these rights meet international standards of being necessary or justifiable in order to protect other basic rights. Apart from legal frameworks, it also looks at other elements that make up an enabling environment where communications media can thrive and play a positive role in democracy and development. These elements include pluralism of service providers, a diversity of content and inclusive journalism.

The course looks closely at the implications of Internet communications. The key issue here is the promotion of digital rights, the right of everyone in the online world to access, use, create and publish information on digital media, blogs, websites and social messaging. It further examines the growing danger of disinformation and the problems of Internet companies’ business models. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its possible effects on the media and journalism are also interrogated.

The course is designed to support participants with knowledge for taking effective civil action to work for positive change in free expression in their country and beyond.

Course participants have the opportunity to learn from the experience of experts and to gain ideas by engaging in discussion forums.

It is highly recommended that participants take both courses in the Professional Certificate in Media and Digital Policy in Africa. The second course, which builds on the first, closely examines the regulation of media, the internet and artificial intelligence (AI), as well as issues of access to information, the challenge of the economic viability of media and further tips for civil action.

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What you'll learn

Free expression, access to information and media freedom:

Freedom of expression as a two-sided right.
A tool to check whether restrictions on freedom of expression are justifiable.
The interrelation of international agreements and national law.

Media independence, safety, pluralism and diversity:

Criteria for the independence of media.
Standards of professional journalism.
Safety of journalists and media.
Pluralism and diversity in the media.
Different types of media.
Gender diversity in the media.

The internet and freedom of expression

Universal access to the internet.
Government interference with internet access.
Surveillance and cybercrime legislation.
The challenge of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Disinformation and how to combat it.
How to protect the integrity of online expression.

Effective civil society engagement in support of democratic media policy:

The role of civil society.
Formal and informal channels of civil society engagement.
Getting a handle on law reform.
Civil society may be undermined.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores the foundations and principles of freedom of expression and access to information

Examines how these freedoms apply to media and online freedoms in Africa, where they are basic human rights

Offers a framework for assessing whether restrictions on media and online freedoms meet international standards

Provides insights into the elements necessary for enabling an environment where communications media contribute to democracy and development

Examines the implications of Internet communications, particularly the promotion of digital rights, the right of everyone to access, use, create and publish information on digital media, blogs, websites and social messaging

Investigates the growing danger of disinformation and the problems of Internet companies’ business models

Interrogates Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its possible effects on the media and journalism

Provides participants with the knowledge for taking effective civil action to work for positive change in free expression

Offers opportunities to learn from experts and gain insights through discussion forums

Forms part of a Professional Certificate in Media and Digital Policy in Africa

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Freedom of expression in the African media and digital policy landscape with these activities:

Review the definition and core principles of freedom of expression

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Reviewing the fundamental concepts of freedom of expression will lay a solid foundation for understanding the course content and engaging in discussions about media and digital freedoms.

Browse courses on Freedom of Expression

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Read the course syllabus and introduction
Review relevant articles or books on freedom of expression
Take notes and highlight key points

Read "Freedom of Expression: A Reader" by Nigel Rodley

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Nigel Rodley's comprehensive work provides a multifaceted perspective on freedom of expression, delving into its historical, legal, and philosophical foundations, as well as contemporary challenges and debates.

View International Responses to Traumatic Stress:... on Amazon

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Acquire the book and set aside dedicated reading time
Read each chapter thoroughly and take notes
Engage with the concepts and arguments presented
Consider the relevance of the book's insights to the course content

Analyze different examples of restrictions on freedom of expression

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Conducting in-depth analysis of real-world cases involving restrictions on freedom of expression will enhance your ability to identify and evaluate such restrictions in various contexts.

Browse courses on Freedom of Expression

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Gather case studies or examples of restrictions on freedom of expression
Examine the specific laws, regulations, or policies involved
Analyze the justifications and arguments put forward for the restrictions
Evaluate the impact of the restrictions on individuals and society

Five other activities

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Join a discussion forum to exchange ideas with peers

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Engaging in discussions with peers allows you to share perspectives, enhance your understanding, and benefit from diverse viewpoints on media and digital freedoms.

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Identify and join an active discussion forum related to the course topic
Participate regularly in discussions and share your insights
Read and respond to other participants' contributions
Respect different opinions and engage in constructive dialogue

Attend a workshop on media law and regulation

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Attending a workshop specifically focused on media law and regulation will provide you with in-depth knowledge and practical insights from experts in the field.

Browse courses on Media Law

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Research and identify relevant workshops
Register for the workshop and prepare any necessary materials
Attend the workshop and actively participate in discussions
Take notes, ask questions, and engage with speakers and attendees
Follow up with speakers or attendees for further learning

Compile a collection of resources on digital rights

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By compiling a comprehensive collection of resources, you will gain a deeper understanding of digital rights and have a valuable reference point for future research and advocacy efforts.

Browse courses on Digital Rights

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Identify and gather relevant articles, reports, and websites
Organize the resources into logical categories or subtopics
Provide brief summaries or annotations for each resource
Share the compilation with others and seek feedback

Develop a proposal for advocating media freedom in your country

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Creating a detailed proposal for advocating media freedom will not only deepen your understanding of the topic but also equip you with a practical tool for promoting change in your community.

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Research the current state of media freedom in your country
Identify key stakeholders and target audience
Develop a strategy and objectives for your advocacy campaign
Outline specific actions and activities
Describe the expected outcomes and impact

Contribute to open-source projects related to media and digital policy

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Participating in open-source projects provides hands-on experience in applying your knowledge of media and digital policy, while also contributing to the broader community.

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Identify open-source projects that align with your interests
Review the project's documentation and codebase
Identify areas where you can contribute
Propose changes or fixes through pull requests
Engage with other contributors and maintain the project's standards

Career center

Learners who complete Freedom of expression in the African media and digital policy landscape will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Web Designer

Web Designers create and develop websites. They may also work on other aspects of web development, such as user experience design and search engine optimization. The course Freedom of Expression in the African Media and Digital Policy Landscape would be useful as it examines the implications of Internet communications, including the key issue of universal access to the internet.

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Civil Society Advocate

Civil Society Advocates work to promote the interests of civil society organizations. They may work on a variety of issues, such as human rights, environmental protection, and social justice. The course Freedom of Expression in the African Media and Digital Policy Landscape would be useful as it provides an overview of the principles of freedom of expression and access to information and how these apply to media and online freedoms in Africa today. It would be especially useful for those who want to work on issues related to freedom of expression and digital rights.

See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Society Advocate

Digital Rights Advocate

Digital Rights Advocates work to ensure that people have the right to access, use, create, and publish information on digital media. They work to protect freedom of expression online and to promote the development of a free and open internet. The course Freedom of Expression in the African Media and Digital Policy Landscape would be useful as it will help you better understand the challenges to freedom of expression online and the strategies that can be used to protect it.

See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Rights Advocate

Journalist

Journalists research, write and edit news stories for newspapers, magazines, websites, and other media outlets. They may also work as producers or reporters for radio and television news programs. The course Freedom of Expression in the African Media and Digital Policy Landscape would be useful as it examines the implications of Internet communications, including the key issue of the promotion of digital rights.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Social Media Manager

Social Media Managers develop and execute social media strategies for organizations. They may also create and manage social media content, and they may work with other departments to develop integrated marketing campaigns. The course Freedom of Expression in the African Media and Digital Policy Landscape would be useful as it examines the implications of Internet communications, including the key issue of the promotion of digital rights.

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Political Scientist

Political Scientists study political systems and institutions. They analyze the distribution and exercise of power in society, and they develop theories about how political systems work. The course Freedom of Expression in the African Media and Digital Policy Landscape would be useful as it provides an overview of the principles of freedom of expression and access to information and how these apply to media and online freedoms in Africa today.

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Legal Advisor

Legal Advisors provide legal advice to individuals and organizations. They may work in a variety of settings, such as law firms, corporations, and government agencies. The course Freedom of Expression in the African Media and Digital Policy Landscape would be useful as it provides a framework for assessing whether any restrictions on freedom of expression are justifiable.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts develop and evaluate public policies. They may work for government agencies, think tanks, or other organizations that have an interest in public policy. The course Freedom of Expression in the African Media and Digital Policy Landscape would be useful as it provides an overview of the principles of freedom of expression and access to information and how these apply to media and online freedoms in Africa today.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Media Ethics Consultant

Media Ethics Consultants help media organizations develop and implement ethical policies and procedures. They also advise media organizations on how to handle ethical dilemmas. The course Freedom of Expression in the African Media and Digital Policy Landscape would be useful as it provides a framework for assessing whether any restrictions on freedom of expression are justifiable.

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Cybersecurity Analyst

Cybersecurity Analysts work to protect computer systems and networks from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. They analyze and assess risks to computer systems and networks, and develop and implement security measures to protect them. The course Freedom of Expression in the African Media and Digital Policy Landscape would be useful as it examines the growing danger of disinformation and the problems of Internet companies’ business models. This course could help you better understand the challenges to freedom of expression online and the strategies that can be used to protect it.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Analyst

Artificial Intelligence Engineer

Artificial Intelligence Engineers design and develop artificial intelligence systems. They may also work on other aspects of artificial intelligence, such as machine learning and deep learning. The course Freedom of Expression in the African Media and Digital Policy Landscape would be useful as it provides an overview of the potential effects of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the media and journalism.

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Broadcast Journalist

Broadcast Journalists research, write and present news stories for radio and television audiences. The course Freedom of Expression in the African Media and Digital Policy Landscape would be useful as it offers a frame for assessing whether any restrictions on these rights meet international standards of being necessary or justifiable in order to protect other basic rights.

See salaries and explore the career path for Broadcast Journalist

Public Relations Specialist

Public Relations Specialists manage the public image of organizations. They develop and implement public relations campaigns, and they may also work as media liaisons. The course Freedom of Expression in the African Media and Digital Policy Landscape would be useful as it provides an overview of the principles of freedom of expression and access to information and how these apply to media and online freedoms in Africa today

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Media Analyst

Media Analysts study the media industry and make recommendations on how to improve its performance. They may work for media companies, advertising agencies, or other organizations that have an interest in the media. The course Freedom of Expression in the African Media and Digital Policy Landscape would be useful as it offers a frame for assessing whether any restrictions on these rights meet international standards of being necessary or justifiable in order to protect other basic rights.

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Media Lawyer

Media Lawyers are integral to the law and policy of journalism. They know the ins and outs of current legislation and case law, both domestically and internationally. Many choose to specialize in advising media companies. As a Media Lawyer, you might work at an independent firm or a media organization. The course Freedom of Expression in the African Media and Digital Policy Landscape would be useful as it provides a framework for assessing whether any restrictions on freedom of expression meet international standards.

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