PhD position: “Interferences with freedom of expression and ‘chilling effect’”

Submitted by odriesse on Thu, 06/05/2010 - 16:36.
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Phd position

Ph.D. researcher at the Media Law Section of the Department of Communication Studies, Center for Journalism Studies and at the Law Faculty, the Human Rights Centre, Ghent University

Description

The Media Law Section of the Department for Communication Studies of Ghent University together with the Human Rights Centre at the Law Faculty of Ghent University are looking for a Ph.D. researcher to work during 4 years on the topic of “Interferences with freedom of expression and ‘chilling effect’ ”.

The goal of the research project is to analyse the impact of the notion of the ‘chilling effect’ on freedom of expression as referred to  by the European Court of Human Rights and within other international, regional or national human rights systems. The research projects includes the analysis of applications of laws and interferences with freedom of expression relating to political speech, defamation, protection of journalistic sources, newsgathering, media reporting, investigative journalism, ngos reporting on matters of public interest or contributing to public debate, freedom of artistic expression and freedom of academic speech. The research project will develop and apply a methodology in order to identify and describe different kinds and consequences of chilling effect in the domain of public debate, media, journalism, art and academic research. The project will also specifically focus on the issue of minor offences, investigative journalism and chilling effect.

The researcher will work under the supervision of Prof. Dirk Voorhoof (www.psw.ugent.be/dv). Co-supervisor is Prof. Eva Brems.
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Starting date: 1 September 2010
Ph.D. grant ca.1570-1750 Euro net/month (tax free)

Profile

-    law degree obtained with good (preferably excellent) grades
-    fluency in written and spoken English
-    good research and writing skills
-    good social skills
-    knowledge of and insight in human rights law, preferably with special interest regarding media law, information law, journalism studies or free speech issues.
More information can be obtained from prof. Dirk Voorhoof, dirk.voorhoof@ugent.be

More information about Ghent and Ghent University, see www.ugent.be

Please e-mail your CV with the contact details of two references, a letter of motivation and a sample of your writing skills (preferably in English) to prof. Dirk Voorhoof, dirk.voorhoof@ugent.be by 1 June 2010.