CHINA
Chinese Studio Head Wang Zhonglei Discusses Censorship
Originally, Huayi Brothers was set to launch its 2013-14 slate at Cannes – but somehow plans changed and the company decided to unveil its slate in a lavish press conference a day before the opening of the Shanghai International Film Festival’s market. It’s a pretty diverse mix: two dark Jackie Chan films and left-of-field projects from non-mainland and young directors – not to mention the earlier-announced presence of David Ayer’s Fury, a Brad Pitt-headlining World War II drama about U.S. soldiers in a tank trying to fight off their German counterparts.
(The Hollywood Reporter)

ECUADOR
Ecuador: End Assault on Free Speech
The Communications Law that the Ecuadorian National Assembly approved on June 14, 2013, seriously undermines free speech. The law includes overly broad language that will limit the free expression of journalists and media outlets.
(Human Rights Watch)

EUROPEAN UNION
US cyberspying damages trust, European Union leaders say
Europe’s top privacy watchdog and the digital agenda commissioner both said Monday that more transparency and trust is needed between the European Union and the U.S. following reports of widespread data collection by the U.S. National Security Agency.
(PC World)

GERMANY
DW – a broadcaster in its prime
Deutsche Welle has celebrated its 60th anniversary, with speakers affirming the broadcaster’s commitment to freedom of expression and for shaping Germany’s global image.
(DW)

LIBYA
In Libya, chaos is taking a toll on freedom of press, speech
Shortly after Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi was toppled in 2011, a 31-year-old activist had a tattoo put on his arm with the date marking the start of the uprising and rebranded himself a journalist.
(The Kansas City Star)

MEXICO
Is the Mexican Government Failing to Protect Journalists?
Anabel Hernandez thinks so, and fears for her life
(VICE)

TURKEY
Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc threatens to dispatch army to quell protests
Thousands take part in rallies across the country to demand an end to the police crackdown
(The Independent)

BBC ends Turkish partnership in censorship row
As the protests in Istanbul against the Turkish Government show no signs of abating any time soon, the BBC has become embroiled in a censorship row with Turkish nationwide television news channel NTV to whom it supplies content.
(Rapid TV News)

UNITED KINGDOM
MoD serves news outlets with D notice over surveillance leaks
Defence officials issued a confidential D notice to the BBC and other media groups in an attempt to censor coverage of surveillance tactics employed by intelligence agencies in the UK and US.
(The Guardian)

Demonstrating “a load of cock” to censorship-crazed UK MP Claire Perry
The British Government is determined to be seen to be doing something (anything, really) about pornography online. The current incarnation of “something must be done; there, we did something!” is based on blaming “Internet companies” for not doing enough to prevent children from seeing porn, and demanding an expansion of the existing program of blocking a secret and unaccountable blacklists.
(Boing Boing)

UNITED STATES
Communication surveillance undermines privacy, freedom of expression
The widespread use of surveillance technologies to monitor peoples’ communications violates the human rights to privacy and freedom of expression, the UN’s Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Opinion stated in his report.
(The Final Call)

Gagged by Big Ag
Horrific abuse. Rampant contamination. And the crime is…exposing it?
(Mother Jones)

OR lawmakers to Congress: Corporate political spending shouldn’t be free speech
The Oregon Legislature is considering a proposal that urges Congress to amend the constitution to say that corporations do not have the same rights as people.
(NW Watchdog)

Freedom of Speech on Campus Threatened by Departments of Education and Justice Policy
Alliance Defending Freedom sent the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education a letter Thursday explaining the constitutional problems with an administration “sexual harassment” policy agreement that will serve as a “blueprint” for colleges and universities throughout the country. A coalition of religious, conservative, and independent student and faculty organizations signed the letter.
(Catholic Education Daily)

More Free Expression in the News
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