Over 100,000 copies of the comic book, entitled Libertad de expresión, were already distributed nationwide by El Universo this year; daily El Comercio offers the comic as a download through its website; and newspaper La Hora is to distribute the comic in separate chapters together with their 70,000 daily copies.

The comic book, consisting of 36 illustrated pages, was released by UNESCO’s Office in Quito on 3 May 2010, World Press Freedom Day, in order to explain, in an accessible language, concepts that are essential for understanding freedom of expression as a human right. It shows how these principles can be promoted according to international instruments and standards, for example through equitable frequency distribution or the establishment of independent regulatory bodies.

The book also describes how bad practices, such as censorship, self-censorship, violence against journalists, severely-punished opinion crimes or mandatory titles and trade memberships for journalists, can jeopardize freedom of expression.

This book is part of the Communication and Information Sector’s ongoing efforts to promote the debate, reflection and understanding about the importance of freedom of expression as a fundamental human right.

The comic book is available online in PDF in Spanish: click here.