Assessing the Right to Information

CLD is best known for publishing the Global Right to Information Rating, a comparative analysis of right to information laws around the world, which it developed in collaboration with Access Info Europe, along with a network of global transparency experts. The rating provides a reliable tool for advocates, critics, legislators and journalists to measure their country's right to information laws against their neighbours, and against international standards. Its rankings have been cited widely in international media.^{[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]}

The RTI Rating assesses legislation based on 61 indicators of a strong right to information law, and is divided into seven categories: Right of Access, Scope, Requesting Procedures, Exceptions and Refusals, Appeals, Sanctions and Protection and Promotional Measures.

CLD has also developed a separate methodology for assessing the implementation and performance of the right to information in practice (the Right to Information Implementation Assessment: Comprehensive Methodology).^[14]

Trainings on International Human Rights Law

One CLD area of focus is the provision of trainings on international standards on freedom of expression and the right to information. Examples include the development, in partnership with UNESCO, of the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Access to Information Laws and Policies and their Implementation, an online course launched in 2022^[15] and the Training Manual for Judges on International Standards on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, a guide to international standards on freedom of expression published in 2022 in collaboration with International Media Support, UNESCO and the Judicial Institute of Jordan.^[16]

Litigation

CLD reports that it has been involved in litigation in different capacities, including as an amicus curiae before Constitutional Court of Colombia in a case concerning net neutrality and as the representative of a petitioner in a complaint to the UN Human Rights Committee concerning the German state of Bavaria's absence of a right to information law.^[17] CLD's Executive Director, Toby Mendel, has also appeared as an expert witness on international standards relating to defamation before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in the case of Palacio Urrutia and Others v. Ecuador.^[18]

Media Lawyers' Networks

CLD, supported by the Global Media Defence Fund managed by UNESCO, has supported the development of networks of media lawyers in various countries with a goal of bringing together legal professionals with an interest in protecting media freedom and freedom of expression and fostering professional development and collaboration.^[19] CLD has offered technical support to the development of these networks, including through providing model training materials on freedom of expression.^[20]

Myanmar's Democratic Transition

CLD was prominently engaged in supporting Myanmar's democratic transition, including by helping to found the Myanmar Media Lawyers' Network, and through direct engagement with the government, political parties and civil society to promote understanding of human rights. In 2015, CLD, alongside David Kaye, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and Myanmar's Information Minister U Ye Htut, appeared at the International Press Institute's 2015 World Congress and General Assembly to advise on the importance of expanding free expression rights in the country.^[21]

Newfoundland and Labrador's Legislative Reform

CLD has been prominently involved in processes to improve right to information recommendations on improving Newfoundland and Labrador's right to information legislation. This began in 2012 with the controversial adoption of Bill 29, an act which substantially weakened transparency in the province.^[22][23] CLD was highly critical of the moves, which led then-Attorney General Felix Collins to refer to them as an “cheap, amateurish” “two-bit outfit” on the floor of the House of Assembly. In response, CLD noted that they had worked in many difficult environments, including Kazakhstan, Myanmar and Somalia, but that this was the first time their integrity and professionalism had been attacked by a political leader.^[24] Two years later, the government of Newfoundland and Labrador backed down from the Bill 29 changes and initiated a review process, in which CLD was a prominent participant, and which resulted in strong improvements to the provincial right to information legislation.^[25]

Human Rights in Indonesia

CLD has been actively involved in advocating for the strengthening of right to information laws in Indonesia. CLD's work here has included intervening as an amicus curiae at the Indonesian Constitutional Court,^[26] and publishing a report detailing barriers to implementation of Indonesia's access to information legislation cited by the University College of London's Constitution Unit.^[27]

CLD also participated in an International Partnership Mission to Indonesia with the aim of protecting media institutions by strengthening press freedoms and freedom of expression legislation.^[28] Following consultations with high-level government stakeholders, civil society, and the media, the mission ultimately identified several important areas for improvement including impunity for violent acts committed against journalists, monopolist ownership of media outlets, harsh criminal sanctions for certain types of online speech, and restrictions on physical access to certain sensitive regions of the country.^[29]