The Free Expression Legal Network, a new initiative dedicated to strengthening legal protections for free expression and media freedom, was launched at Webber Wentzel’s Sandton office on 18 February 2025, with more than 50 People in attendance. The Campaign for Free Expression (CFE) was central to the development of the network, along with SA National Editors’ Forum (Sanef), the Press Council and other organisations and legal experts.

The network aims to ensure that individuals and organisations facing legal threats can access the support they need. Among those that this new initiative aims to support are journalists, writers and others facing legal threats. It aims to ensure co-ordination with several other international efforts of this kind to provide a stronger framework for defending free expression.