Current Affairs - Persons - Discussion

Amal Clooney has been appointed as the U.K.'s special envoy on media freedom. The appointment comes as the U.K. prepares to host an international conference this July in the wake of attacks on journalists across the world. Ms.Clooney will chair a panel of legal experts who will work to support countries to repeal outdated and draconian laws and strengthen legal mechanisms to protect journalists. Among the steps that could be taken by the panel include making proposals to countries around national laws that don't comply with international standards, particularly around issues such as blasphemy and stringent anti-defamation rules. The panel will also prepare mechanisms that could be used internationally to raise the cost of non-compliance with international standards, such as advising on sanctions regime that could be put in place relating to regimes that abused journalists.