Freedom of Expression Toolkit: A Guide for Students

Published by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), this toolkit covers major concepts and issues related to freedom of expression. Written with upper high school students in mind, it is designed to be easy to understand. In addition to seven toolboxes on freedom of expression, there is a "bonus material" section based on the case study of the fictional country called Zangara, which is an amalgamation of real world events allowing older adolescent readers to further explore the concepts and issues in greater depth in an age-appropriate format.

The toolkit also contains extensive lists of other resources related to freedom of expression, such as websites, directories, etc. The toolkit consists of the following 7 toolboxes:

• Toolbox l: What is freedom of expression and why does it matter?
• Toolbox ll: When is freedom of expression at risk?
• Toolbox lll: What are the conditions needed for freedom of expression to flourish?
• Toolbox lV: The special role of journalism and journalist in freedom expression
• Toolbox V: What about freedom of expression online?
• Toolbox Vl: Doing your part: Monitor, defend and promote freedom of expression
• Toolbox Vll: "l can say whatever l want because its my freedom of expression!"

The first toolbox discusses the concepts and explains the importance of freedom of expression. The second toolbox highlights issues that threaten freedom of expression including controlled media, intimidations, and obstacles in access to information, restrictive laws, and regulations. In the third toolbox, readers are sensitised to the conditions needed for freedom of expression to flourish, such as the rule of law and having free, independent, and pluralistic media in addition to an active civil society.

In the fourth toolbox, a special section is devoted to addressing the role of press and of journalists in freedom of expression. In addition to traditional media such as print, radio, and broadcasting, the fifth toolbox includes discussions on recent developments in social media and networking, especially their uses in freedom of expression. The sixth part of the toolkit is designed to enable readers to bring theory into practices through a wide variety of exercises, projects, and thought-provoking questions, including activities such as celebrating the annual World Press Freedom Day or setting up a media monitoring site. The final toolbox discusses the dilemmas of freedom of expression and its limitations.