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Defending Press Freedom: How PALU is Fighting Media Restrictions in East Africa 
Accordingly, the Pan African Lawyers Union intervened in a case about a total internet shutdown during Uganda’s 2021 general elections. Lasting five full days, PALU made the case that the shutdown deprived citizens of access to information, the right to free speech and a free press at a politically crucial time. While the case is still pending in Arusha, PALU hopes that the Court could instigate legal reforms in East Africa that would make internet shutdowns impossible in the future.
With GMDF’s support, PALU has supported a strategic regional litigation effort against internet shutdowns, while strengthening the movement to reclaim the civic space. This partnership exemplifies how united efforts are needed towards those whose aim is to silence the public.
In the last few years, with the Fund, PALU has been actively contributing to an environment conducive to freedom of expression, focusing on two key areas: legal training and strategic litigation. While the organization has sought to drive change at the highest level by challenging laws that restrict media freedom across the continent, it also provided GMDF-backed trainings to sensitize media organizations, journalists and human rights defenders to the existing limitations and redress opportunities in the legal systems across East Africa.
Furthermore, through targeted advocacy efforts, PALU has engaged with policymakers, media stakeholders, and legal institutions to push for reforms that align with international human rights standards. However, press freedom across East Africa remains at risk, with many journalists facing harassment, censorship, and legal persecution. 
Recognizing the continued need for legal defense and advocacy, GMDF will be renewing its support to PALU this year, to support the continuation of their efforts. With UNESCO’s backing, PALU plans to further develop its innovative African Media Lawyers’ Network that connects journalists, media (support) organizations and lawyers from all over Africa in their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression. This network will offer capacity building opportunities for media lawyers and journalists alike while providing the opportunity for journalists under threat to seek legal support from experts. Finally, it will lead coordinated responses to emerging threats to freedom of expression across Africa and advocate for a legal environment that enables free and independent journalism.
This initiative complements UNESCO’s broader efforts, including the Judges’ Initiative, which has trained over 36,000 judicial actors from 160 countries on freedom of expression and international standards over the past decade.
