Meaning and Significance of the Freedom of Expression in an Online Environment

• Jurisdiction: European Union
• Author: Barbora Bukovska

Speaker

Barbora Bukovska has been ARTICLE 19’s Senior Director for Law and Policy since 2009. She leads the development of ARTICLE 19 policies and provides legal oversight across the organization. Barbora has extensive experience working on a range of human rights issues, including protection from discrimination, access to justice, deprivation of liberty, reproductive rights, and community development. She also initiated about 50 cases at the European Court of Human Rights on these issues. From 2006 to 2008, she was the Legal Director at the Mental Disability Advocacy Centre, an international organization working on the rights of people with disabilities in Europe and Central Asia.

Topic

In her presentation, Barbora Bukovska delves into the intricate landscape of risks associated with the preservation of freedom of expression within the digital realm. With a keen focus on the ever-evolving online environment, she skillfully highlights the profound challenges that have emerged in the wake of the digital age. Moreover, she underscores the pivotal role and moral obligation of online actors in addressing these pressing issues.

Barbora Bukovska's discourse meticulously dissects the multifaceted risks that encumber the cherished principle of freedom of expression on the internet. In a world where information flows freely and instantaneously, she elucidates how this unfettered connectivity can inadvertently spawn misinformation, cyberbullying, and hate speech, ultimately posing significant threats to the fundamental right of free expression.

Furthermore, Bukovska meticulously unpacks the concept of responsibility in the digital sphere. She underscores the critical need for online actors, including social media platforms, content creators, and even internet users, to wield their influence judiciously and ethically. In an era where the boundaries between the physical and virtual worlds are increasingly blurred, she implores individuals and entities alike to adopt a heightened sense of responsibility in curating online content, moderating discussions, and safeguarding the sanctity of free expression.

Throughout her presentation, Barbora Bukovska masterfully...