The landscape of modern communication has witnessed a remarkable evolution in the concept of freedom of expression. This fundamental right recognized and incorporated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations in 1948, has undergone a remarkable evolution. Article 19 of this monumental declaration explicitly articulates the right to freedom of opinion and expression, representing a significant milestone in the worldwide acknowledgment and protection of this fundamental human right.
In today’s digital era, the dynamics of this freedom have been both amplified and complicated. The internet has become a tool for free speech, allowing voices from all corners of the globe to be heard. It has enabled the spread of innovative ideas, fostering a culture of creativity and collaboration. The positive impact of this can be seen in the way human rights violations are exposed and combatted globally, and in how educational and scientific information is more accessible than ever.
However, this freedom comes with a darker side. The shadow side of this right becomes evident when considering the ease with which anonymous individuals can spread misinformation and defamation. The anonymity provided by the internet allows individuals to create content — ranging from blog posts and social media updates to YouTube videos — that can be harmful or invasive. They can disseminate personal information or falsehoods about individuals, often with little to no consequence.
The internet is a vast, everlasting space where information, even once released, continues to exist in some form. Even with laws such as the “right to be forgotten,” the practicality of completely removing harmful content is challenging. The internet’s inherent nature allows for the replication and redistribution of this content, often faster than it can be taken down. Moreover, the individuals behind this content often hide behind anonymous or fake profiles, making accountability challenging or almost impossible.
Many content creators on social media have voiced similar concerns. They often find themselves targeted if their opinions or expressions do not align with what their audience or followers expect. This can create a chilling effect, where the fear of backlash leads to self-censorship or a deviation from one’s true beliefs and values.
As a human rights advocate working in the digital era, I have personally witnessed and experienced the range of injustices that can occur online. The internet, while a powerful tool for communication and information dissemination, can also be used as a medium for perpetrating various forms of injustice. These range from the spread of misinformation to the intentional defamation of character, often carried out by individuals hiding behind the veil of anonymity.
One notable example illustrating the seriousness of this issue involved a 2014 legal victory by a Spanish citizen. This case, commonly referred to as the “Right to be Forgotten” case or “Google Spain case,” was a pivotal decision rendered by the European Court of Justice (ECJ). It originated from a complaint by a Spanish individual and established a concept known as the “right to be forgotten,” which allows individuals to request the deletion of specific personal data to prevent third parties from accessing it.
However, enforcing the right to be forgotten is not as straightforward as it may seem. In my work on several cases involving this right, I observed that entities like Google often apply their own rules and policies, not complying with the EU legislation. Despite presenting clear evidence, the necessary actions to uphold the right to be forgotten were not always taken effectively. This reveals the complexities of corporate technology policies and a lack of understanding of human rights in the digital realm. The technological era, therefore, presents a double-edged sword in terms of freedom of expression. On one side, it empowers individuals, promotes transparency, and drives social change. On the other, it can be a tool for harm through the unchecked spread of misinformation and defamation. Navigating this landscape requires a balanced approach, where the benefits of free expression are harnessed, while the risks are diligently managed.
In conclusion, the struggle to uphold individual human rights often faces overshadowing by the immense power and influence of large corporations. These entities, focused on their broader agendas and global-scale operations, tend to overlook the nuances of individual cases. This tendency to ignore the intricacies of individual injustices highlights a significant challenge in the digital era. It emphasizes the critical need to compel large corporations to pay attention to and address individual cases, as such diligence is crucial for preserving and protecting individual human rights.
Sources: UN
Author: Michaela Jamelska