1) States should enable the free flow of information relating to protests, including all types of media, so that everyone can freely impart and receive information about protests before, during and after them.
2) States should ensure in their legislation and practice that, at the very least:
a) All public authorities and law enforcement provide detailed, accurate and comprehensive information about decision-making relating to protests and policing protests. Those with an obligation to disclose information must make information available on request, within the timeframe specified by law, subject only to limited exceptions prescribed by law and necessary to prevent specific, identifiable harm to legitimate interests, as set out in the test in Principle 4;
b) There is a proactive disclosure of key information, including the rules and regulations governing the policing of protests, budgets, and evaluation reports. This information should be made available both offline and online in places that make it easy to locate and in formats that permit easy download and reuse of the data;
c) All public authorities involved in decision making relating to protests and law enforcement must develop and maintain consistent records relating to their decision-making and the execution of their duties, and ensure this is accessible to public and independent scrutiny.
3) States should refrain from imposing measures that regulate or limit the free circulation of information about protests via broadcast and print media, the internet and other communications platforms; any limitations must comply with the requirements set out in Principle 4.
To comment in detail on free flow of information relating to protest, click here