In thirty years of democracy, Paraguay has shown a constantly growing regulatory development in terms of freedom of expression. In the national Constitution of 1992, which was sanctioned at the beginning of this democratic era, several articles are dedicated to guaranteeing freedom of expression in all its forms. In recent years, and in parallel with the increase in internet connectivity, due to the widespread use of social networks and technological development in the country, legislative management has been oriented towards an increase in the regulation of the internet, its intermediaries and its content. In some cases, these legislative efforts have remained in bills, and in others they have been translated into laws in force in the Republic of Paraguay. This legislative task requires strengthening the human rights perspective when addressing the various situations that the use of the internet and technological platforms requires, in order not to threaten the full exercise of freedom of expression. There is still a significant lack of knowledge of the human rights perspective necessary when legislating on internet use policies and regulation of intermediaries, in order to guarantee at the same time basic rights such as freedom of expression. This lack of knowledge not only affects those who carry out the legislative task, but also the citizens who must control this task. This is evident in the development of bills that, seeking to safeguard certain rights, put other equally important rights at risk. Parallel to legislative management, the country is expanding technologically. 30% of the population has some form of internet connection, and at the same time, there is evidence of a severe disconnection between national telecommunications policies (with delays in regulations and application of internet policies without a human rights perspective) and the plans of private connectivity companies. The article seeks to expose this legislative process and its impact on the citizen exercise of freedom of expression on the internet, revealing trends and challenges for citizenship and democracy in the coming years.

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