1.2

The right of freedom of expression is exercised by the citizens, including
journalists, who enjoy their rights without fear.

Analysis
The freedom of opinion and expression is generally considered as the fundamental
freedom of Man. It is quoted in article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
that, “Any individual is entitled to the freedom of opinion and expression, including the
right not to be worried about their opinions and to do research, receive and spread,
without the consideration of borders, information and ideas by any means of expression.”
In Mali, legislation limits this freedom on all actions inducing racial, national or religious
hatred and relevant for appeal on murder, all being offences forbidden by the law.
This goes hand in hand with the freedom of information and more specifically with the
freedom of the press, being the freedom for the owner of the journal to say or keep secret
what seems good to him in his journal, subject to him giving answers before the tribunals
in the event of defamation or slander. Slander and defamation also exist and the
restrictions imposed on the notion of freedom of expression for any public speech,
inducing hatred and murder.
The freedom of expression puts into practice in this context the panellists who recognise
that there is a setback in Mali. Journalists, militants of human rights are increasingly
threatened by what they say. Several cases in which journalists have been hindered or
molested in exercising their profession, where defenders of human rights were
interpellated, have been revealed. The authors of these aggressions and interpellations
have never been put to cause for their acts. So, the question arises: Is this practice
encouraged by the State or a matter of isolated diligence? It is always the same there are
individuals who wish to restrict the actions of journalists.
Going beyond these restrictive barriers to freedom of expression, there is also a social
force that does not always allow free expression.
The debate also focused on the behaviour of certain journalists who don’t generally
utilize legal ways of recourse since they are victims of aggression, thread, etc.
Going beyond this said setback and despite worries which are not always justified, each
time they have the occasion, citizens exercise their rights.
Individual marks:
Average:

2-1-2-4-2-4-3-3-4-2

2.7

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