CANADA
Letter: Censorship has no place in our society
What a shameful affront by York Regional Police to the democratic liberties enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, namely freedom of speech and belief, in stopping Pamela Geller, an invited American anti-Islamist, from expressing her thoughts at a Thornhill synagogue. (York Region
CHINA
How to Jump the Great Firewall of China
As the Chinese government’s censorship tools becomes increasingly refined, Internet users have learned to circumvent the Great Firewall. Their primary technique is to communicate via the same networks as government agencies and major businesses. (Tech President/Personal Democracy Media)
ISRAEL
Another bad Israeli law
The libel bill, which was approved by the Ministerial Committee for Legislation, would have a dangerous chilling effect on criticism of IDF operations. (Haaretz)
PAKISTAN
Blogging in Pakistan ain’t like blogging in America
At first, it was just Buzzfeed. I had moved back to Pakistan, where I intended to continue my full time work in online media, after almost 13 years in the United States. But the internet in Karachi did not appear to be the same internet I’d known and loved in America. (GlobalPost)
RUSSIA
Google Defeated in Russian YouTube Censorship Case
In February, Google filed an appeal in Russia to challenge the censorship of a YouTube video deemed unlawful. This week, Google was defeated. (Search Engine Watch)
UNITED KINGDOM
Editorial Viewpoint: Baffling silence on free speech threat
Every day, it seems, we get another example of the dysfunctional nature of government in Northern Ireland. In this case it concerns reforms to the libel laws which are being introduced in Britain. (Belfast Telegraph)
UNITED STATES
Judge Rules For Cheerleaders In Bible Banner Suit
A judge has ruled that cheerleaders at a Southeast Texas high school can display banners emblazoned with Bible verses at football games. (ABC News)
EA Claims Gun Designs Are Protected Under Free Speech
With guns becoming a hot topic of debate once more in the United States, EA has chosen to distance themselves from arms manufacturers; no longer will EA pay for the right to depict real firearms in their games. Just because they aren’t going to pay any longer, don’t expect EA to stop using depictions of real weapons and vehicles; EA believes their constitutional rights under the tenants of free speech allow their use of trademarks without permission. (Click)
North Dakota School Allows Pro-Life Poster After Initial Censorship
One day after receiving a letter from Alliance Defending Freedom, a North Dakota high school and its district agreed to allow a student’s pro-life poster that was part of a class assignment to be placed back on the walls of the school. (LifeNews.com
Free-speech protest at market not met with vendor applause
Though an Athens, Ohio, man says he got arrested at the Athens Farmers Market Saturday on behalf of free speech, his efforts don’t seem to have generated much enthusiastic support among vendors who sell their products there. (The Athens News)
Attorneys and activists say Illinois terrorism law is chilling free speech
Attorneys and activists say Illinois law is chilling free speech by defining legal activism as illegal terrorism.
The argument is being made on behalf of three men charged under Illinois’ terrorism law in connection with protests at last year’s NATO gathering in Chicago.(Medill Reports)
Farms And Free Speech
Senator Mike Brubaker (R-36) is hoping to introduce and pass a bill similar to a bill he proposed one year ago. This time, he said he’s made some adjustments. The bill would require anybody photographing or filming farms during undercover investigations to turn over footage to law enforcement before posting the footage anywhere else first. (CentralPA.com
