A/HRC/44/49/Add.1 61. The Special Rapporteur recalls that under international human rights law, the burden of proof is on States to demonstrate that the use of counter-terrorism and national security measures is necessary, appropriate and proportionate in each particular instance. The Special Rapporteur calls upon the authorities to ensure that the implementation of the new legislation aimed at countering terrorism does not hinder the work and safety of journalists and individuals engaged in promoting and defending human rights. 62. The Special Rapporteur supports the efforts of the authorities to create independent public institutions that can be free from political or ethnic affiliations. He urges the Government to continue to strengthen the independence of the judiciary, at both the federal and the state levels. 63. The Special Rapporteur invites the Government to share draft legislation impacting human rights in general, and freedom of expression in particular, with relevant human rights bodies and mechanisms, especially with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as with the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, civil society organizations and other members of the public, for their inputs. B. Media freedom and access to information 64. The Special Rapporteur urges the authorities to continue to promote a diverse, free and independent media environment, with a clear regulatory framework for broadcasters that is free from political and commercial interference or pressure. 65. The Special Rapporteur recommends that the authorities strengthen media literacy and professionalism, ensure that public media have sufficient financial and human resources, promote media self-regulation as part of striving for accuracy in news reporting, provide targeted educational measures to strengthen the sector’s capacity, and guarantee the independence of the broadcasting authority. 66. The Special Rapporteur is mindful that disinformation misleads and interferes with the public’s right to know and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds. However, he believes that the use of criminal sanctions is generally inappropriate to address false news, and that imprisonment is never an appropriate penalty. He urges the authorities to decriminalize the offence of defamation and to provide for reasonable civil liabilities. 67. In the light of threats and violence faced by journalists covering public events, especially women journalists, the Special Rapporteur calls upon authorities and others to publicly express their rejection of any form of threat and intimidation against journalists or other professionals carrying out reporting work and to initiate prompt and impartial investigations and prosecutions. 68. The Special Rapporteur urges the authorities to encourage and support the expansion of Internet access, while developing digital literacy tools to address and reduce concerns about privacy, and about hatred and intolerance, acts of intimidation and harassment, and restrictions to freedom of expression that may exist online. 69. Under international law, readily accessible and understandable information should be made available to the public. The Special Rapporteur urges the authorities to consider the right to access information as a priority, particularly in times of political reform and social tensions. 70. The Special Rapporteur recalls that shutdown of the Internet and telecommunication networks not only often fails to meet the necessity and proportionality test, but also affects emergency services and economic activities. He urges the authorities to ensure that any disruption has a legal basis that is in line with international law. He further urges the authorities to refrain from imposing Internet or telecommunications network disruptions and shutdowns. 16