The meeting, which was held in November 2010 in Quito (Ecuador), explored how new technology platforms may improve freedom of expression monitoring mechanisms, in particular the scope and accuracy of the registration processes, the dissemination of alerts, and the indicators and statistics produced by the monitoring system.

This activity was organized within the framework of the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) regional project, Strengthening Monitoring of Freedom of Expression in the Andean Region. As a first result of the project, the GALI member organizations widened the scope of the issues, covered by the freedom of expression monitoring mechanism, in order to include the following:


Moreover, GALI identified the need to evaluate the freedom of expression legislation prevailing in each country in order to identify its strengths and weaknesses. For this purpose, the implementation of UNESCO’s Media Development Indicators, particularly the category 1, was proposed to the Group. This instrument can contribute to assessing, in a precise manner, whether national legislation on freedom of expression and access to information meets international standards.

CELE will initially monitor the collection of data on these new issues until June 2011. In July 2011 there will be a second meeting of the GALI organizations in order to assess progress and problems encountered during that period. The scope of the new monitoring system will then be finally decided, as well as the strategies to be implemented to improve the current mechanisms.