Freedom of Expression
2002
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR
FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION 2002
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER I - GENERAL REPORTS
A. Mandate and competence of the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression
B. The office of the Special Rapporteur’s principal activities
1. Promotion and dissemination activities
2. Country visits
3. Presentation to the organs of the Organization of American States
CHAPTER II-EVALUATION OF THE STATE OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN THE HEMISPHERE
A. Introduction. Methodology
B. Evaluation
C. The status of freedom of expression in the member states
D. Murders of media personnel
CHAPTER III - JURISPRUDENCE
A. Summary of the jurisprudence of the inter-American system on freedom of expression
1. Introduction
2. Cases under the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man
3. Cases under the American Convention on Human Rights
a. Violence against or murder of journalists
b. Intimidation, threats, and harassment in retaliation for expressions
c. Prior censorship
d. Subsequent liability for expressions
e. Mandatory membership in a professional association for the practice of journalism
f. Indirect restrictions
g. Right to the truth
h. Right to reply
4. Admissibility reports
5. Precautionary and provisional measures
B. Domestic jurisprudence of the member states
1. Introduction
a. Protection of journalistic sources
b. The importance of information in a democratic society
c. Incompatibility of criminal penalties
CHAPTER IV - FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND POVERTY
A. Introduction
B. Enjoyment of freedom of expression without discrimination on the grounds of social origin or economic position
C. Access to public information as an exercise of the freedom of expression of the poor
D. Exercising freedom of expression and the right of assembly
E. The exercise of freedom of expression through alternative media channels
F. Final comments
CHAPTER V - "DESACATO" LAWS AND CRIMINAL DEFAMATION
A. Introduction
B. Desacato laws are incompatible with Article 13 of the Covention
C. Criminal defamation offenses (slander, libel, etc.)
D. Final observations: Slender progress in the repeal of desacato laws and in legislative reform bills on the offences of libel and slander
CHAPTER VI - FINAL CONSIDERATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
ANNEXES
1. Complete text of Article 13 of the American Convention on Human Rights
2. Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression
3. Declaration of Chapultepec
4. International Mechanisms for Promoting Freedom of Expression A Model Freedom of Information Law
5. Presentation of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression at the Committee on Juridical and Political Affairs
6. Press Releases