Freedom of expression and media freedom are two interconnected pillars of international human rights law, essential to ensuring access to information, participation in public life, and accountability in the exercise of power. Freedom of expression protects the right to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas across borders, while free, independent, and pluralistic media serve as vital institutional mechanisms for realizing this right and scrutinizing those in power. Their relationship extends beyond the dissemination of information to encompass the independence of information sources and the public’s right to know about matters of public interest. Today, these freedoms face legal and structural restrictions, including censorship, criminalization, and political and economic pressures. Meanwhile, expanding digital surveillance, the growing power of communication platforms, and challenges posed by misinformation and hate speech raise critical questions about the legitimate scope of restrictions, state obligations, and the responsibilities of non-state actors. Against this backdrop, the special issue “Freedom of Expression and the Media” draws on international human rights standards to examine the legal foundations, patterns of violations, and contemporary developments affecting these freedoms, alongside international mechanisms for their protection.