2020 Annual Report

In 2020, CELE, together with its team of researchers and collaborators, produced more than 11 academic articles in its various areas of research. We continued to maintain the Legislative Observatory, the region’s only repository of laws and bills related to freedom of expression. In addition, through the iLEI, we launched two new research projects. The first focuses on the study of corporate self-regulation and its impact on due diligence initiatives in the ICT sector. The second, undertaken in partnership with Linterna Verde, focuses on monitoring and studying the terms and conditions of service and community guidelines of three leading social media platforms.

In 2020, CELE embarked on a new and challenging path amid the global pandemic. We navigated it successfully and creatively, ensuring the continuity of our research projects and giving a strong boost to the creation of digital content through our blog. Amid social distancing measures, we aimed to address the concerns of the most vulnerable communities regarding the exercise of their digital rights, including the rights to association and assembly, protest, access to high-quality and affordable internet, social and political participation, equality, and non-discrimination. The blog featured articles by researchers, contributors, and staff, averaging more than 8,000 monthly visits and addressing some of the most pressing issues facing the region, local communities, and the world amid the pandemic. In 2020, CELE, together with its team of researchers and contributors, produced more than 11 academic articles across its various research areas. We continued to maintain the Legislative Observatory, the region’s only repository of laws and draft legislation related to freedom of expression. In addition, through iLEI, we launched two new research projects. The first focused on the study of corporate self-regulation and its impact on due diligence initiatives in the ICT sector. The second, undertaken in partnership with Linterna Verde, is dedicated to monitoring and studying the terms and conditions of service and community guidelines of three leading social media platforms. The development and implementation of technology for public health surveillance purposes presented significant opportunities and challenges for human rights. The widespread circulation of scams, disinformation, and misinformation sparked a new wave of regulatory initiatives and a paradigm shift among technology companies. At CELE**, we promoted a collective and coordinated approach to these issues**, strengthening our work with national, regional, and global organizations. In August, we held the eighth edition of the annual workshop “Toward Better Internet Regulation in Latin America,” which received more than 150 applications from academics and civil society representatives from 16 countries in the region. The workshop’s content focused on issues related to the state of emergency and its impact on the Internet from the perspective of its various stakeholders: governments, companies, and civil society. The workshop’s goal was to take the issues generally described in newspaper headlines and ground them in** concrete problems affecting vulnerable populations, migrants, women, and children.** In 2020, we have much to be grateful for. First, I would like to thank the CELE team—which is constantly evolving—for their unwavering commitment, creativity, and dedication. This year, we have 17 researchers, 4 research assistants, and our administrative and communications staff. I would also like to thank our community of alumni, former researchers, partners, and collaborators for their support and guidance. To our regional partners, civil society organizations, and academia, we thank you for your warmth and openness, the collective development of proposals, and your generosity in sharing your knowledge and providing feedback on ours. Of course, last but not least, we thank the donors who make our work possible. Thanks to their contributions, we can strengthen our research and train an increasing number of organizations, ensuring the responsible study and development of freedom of expression and a more inclusive, richer, and better-informed Internet governance. And as we do every year, we are deeply grateful to the president of the University of Palermo, Ricardo Popovsky, and his team for their constant support, as well as to the dean of the School of Law, Leandro Vergara, and the entire UP team for their support. With this report, we close out 2020, having learned much and strengthened in our convictions. We look ahead to 2021 with renewed energy to collectively promote and build more inclusive and open societies, with the firm conviction that the free exchange of ideas and opinions of all kinds enriches our democracies. You can find the complete 2020 Annual Report at: https://www.palermo.edu/cele/pdf/Informe_Anual_CELE_2020_Final.pdf Each of us on the @CELEUP team would like to wish you a very happy holiday season and a wonderful 2021. Thank you for joining us.