Southern African Digital Rights & Online Freedom of Expression Litigation Surgery

The Media Legal Defence Initiative (MLDI) is calling for applications from lawyers to take part in coming Southern African Digital Rights & Online Freedom of Expression Litigation Surgery training.

All applicants are required to submit a current or potential case, involving these matters, for discussion. Successful applicants will attend the litigation surgery and become members of a digital rights legal network through which there will be opportunities for engagement both regionally and internationally.

Litigation surgery objectives

MLDI provides legal support to journalists, bloggers, and independent media. In recent years it has supported a significant number of cases involving online media. These have included challenging social media blocking and internet shutdowns, contesting cybercrimes legislation, ‘false news’ regulations and intermediary liability, as well as advancing greater protection of sources and privacy online.

The objectives of the litigation surgery are:

• To equip participants with skills, knowledge, and training to litigate using national and international laws as well as regional and international mechanisms relevant to freedom of expression online;
• To build a digital rights network and help facilitate its engagement with international legal mechanisms and global civil society initiatives; and
• To assist and develop working relationships amongst lawyers undertaking such cases.

Eligibility

• The surgery is open to lawyers who work and reside in below-listed countries
• Applicants can either be working in private practice or be working for, or be affiliated with, NGOs promoting the right to freedom of expression through litigation
• Exceptionally strong applications will be considered as well from lawyers who have not yet undertaken freedom of expression work, but have experience litigating other human rights cases and have a strong interest in undertaking freedom of expression work
• Applicants must be proficient in English
• The lawyers must have a demonstrated interest in and/or knowledge of the right to online freedom of expression, digital rights, internet freedom and/or related issues
• The lawyers must have a demonstrated interest in and/or knowledge of international and regional human rights law

What can be covered with the grant

• travel expenses
• accommodation and a per diem

Documents to prepare

• Complete application form and need to send it to Michael Moss at michael.moss@mediadefence.org
• With their application, applicants are requested to submit a case study of a case that they are litigating or intend to litigate and that could be discussed during the litigation surgery. As set out above, it will suffice for participants who do not have a case that is pending to have identified a relevant law, practice or policy relating to online freedom of expression that they would like to challenge in court. However, such participants must demonstrate their ability and willingness to pursue the case after the surgery