Blueprint for Free Speech

Description

Blueprint for Free Speech is a non-profit charity that works internationally to promote the right to freedom of expression. It draws on Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It builds a free, publicly accessible online library of research and legal analysis on freedom of expression topics. These include public interest disclosure law, defamation law, journalist shield laws, internet publishing and net neutrality, and freedom of information.

This research is meant to inform law reform debate and to help build model legislation. The organization also supports NGOs, policy-makers, journalists and civil society with research, tools and specialist information. It works to enhance citizen participation and awareness of rights.

To further safe and anonymous communication for whistleblowers, activists and journalists, it develops software. This includes the secure messenger Ricochet Refresh and Gosling, a tool that adds anonymous peer-to-peer functionality over Tor onion services to other developers’ products. It also offers digital security training and tailored advice to at-risk individuals, journalists and civil society groups.

In Germany it runs the No SLAPP contact point, which supports journalists facing legal intimidation for their work. It also provides legal advice and support, within limited resources, to whistleblowers with a public interest concern. It is registered in Germany as an e.V.