Noting that oral traditions, which
are rooted in African cultures, lend
themselves particularly well to radio
broadcasting;

2.

Noting the important contribution
that can be made to the realisation of
the right to freedom of expression by
new information and communication
technologies;

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Mindful of the evolving human rights
and human development environment
in Africa, especially in light of the
adoption of the Protocol to the African
Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights
on the establishment of an African
Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights,
the principles of the Constitutive Act of
the African Union, 2000, as well as the
significance of the human rights and
good governance provisions in the New
Partnership for Africa’s Development
(NEPAD); and

1.
2.

No one shall be subject to arbitrary
interference with his or her
freedom of expression.
Any restrictions on freedom of
expression shall be provided by law,
serve a legitimate interest and be
necessary in a democratic society.

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Freedom of expression imposes an
obligation on the authorities to take
positive measures to promote diversity,
which include among other things-:

Recognising the need to ensure the
right of freedom of expression in Africa,
the African Commission on Human and
Peoples’ Rights declares that:

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1.

and inalienable human right and
an indispensable component of
democracy.
Everyone shall have an equal
opportunity to exercise the right
to freedom of expression and
to access information without
discrimination.

Freedom of expression and
information, including the right
to seek, receive and impart
information and ideas, either
orally, in writing or in print, in the
form of art, or through any other
form of communication, including
across frontiers, is a fundamental

availability and promotion of a range of
information and ideas to the public;
pluralistic access to the media and other
means of communication, including by
vulnerable or marginalised groups, such
as women, children and refugees, as
well as linguistic and cultural groups;
the promotion and protection of African
voices, including through media in local
languages; and
the promotion of the use of local
languages in public affairs, including in
the courts.




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