In a year when two out of three Latin Americans will elect new leaders, freedom of expression remains a crucial but fragile pillar of the region’s democratic systems. In 2017, 22 media workers were killed in the Americas, and other practices—from threats of violence to criminal prosecutions—were employed against individuals exercising their freedom of expression to better inform society. In addition, new challenges to democratic debate have emerged, including the deliberate, malevolent spread of disinformation—or “fake news”—and the corresponding danger of regulatory overreach by governments in response. 

The Inter-American Dialogue, Reporters Without Borders, and the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) are pleased to host a public forum to analyze persistent threats, emerging challenges, and potential solutions for protecting freedom of expression in the Americas. 

Follow this event on Twitter at #FOEAmericas, @RSF_en, @IACHumanRights, and @The_Dialogue.
 

Speakers

Edison Lanza

Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (@EdisonLanza)

Margaux Ewen

Executive Director, Reporters Without Borders North America (@MargauxEwen)

Viviana Krsticevic

Executive Director, Center for Justice and International Law (@mundopenelope)

Tracy Wilkinson

Washington Bureau Reporter, Los Angeles Times (@TracyKWilkinson)

Moderator

Michael Camilleri

Director, Peter D. Bell Rule of Law Program, Inter-American Dialogue (@camillerimj)