The freedom of expression is characterized by six key features:5
• It applies to “everyone” equally without distinction of any kind whatsoever;
distinctions based on “race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other
opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status” are entirely
irrelevant to its application.6
• Its geographical scope is unlimited; it applies “regardless of frontiers.”
• Its substantive scope, while not unlimited, is broad; it encompasses
“information and ideas of all kinds.”7
• It includes the rights to both “receive and impart information and ideas”; the
rights of both listeners and speakers, and observers and demonstrators are
equally protected.8
• It imposes a positive obligation on signatoriesto the ICCPR;states are obligated
to “take the necessary steps” to ensure its protection, including adopting “laws
or other measures as may be necessary” and providing “an effective remedy” to
those whose freedom of expression has been violated.
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• The manner in which expressions are disseminated is unlimited; it protects the
right to impart one’s ideas using “any” form of “media of his choice.”