For any state that aspires to respect the rule of law, there is no question that freedom of expression is of major importance. Freedom of expression is recognised in many human rights instruments, like in Article 19 of the Universal Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Not only is it an important human right but it is furthermore a prerequisite for the exercise of many other rights and freedoms. There is an interrelationship between freedom to communicate and express oneself and the rule of law in that free expression through free communication is important for the functioning of the rule of law, and rule of law must prevail for communication to play such a role. [---]