Frank La Rue also called for a coordinated effort from the UN human rights system to deal with the issue of privacy
Milana Knezevic
Brave Azerbaijani journalist’s plea for international support
Khadija Ismayilova tells democratic countries she doesn’t want “private diplomacy”: “I don’t believe in human rights advocacy behind closed doors. People of my country need to know that human rights are supported.”
New press regulator would not stop phone hacking, says Index panel
Doughty Street Chambers and Index on Censorship hosted a debate on the state of press freedom in the UK after the Leveson inquiry
Palestinian Arab Idol banned from performing at the World Cup
Mohammed Assaf says he can’t sing at the Brazil 2014 opening ceremony because of some “countries” or “groups” — and that Shakira is boycotting the event because of it
Who are Putin’s Olympic guests?
Obama might be snubbing Sochi, but these lesser-known politicians should get their share of the spotlight
Iran’s online conservatives skirt social media restrictions
A new report by Small Media sheds light on the Arzeshi, a hardline, conservative faction of online activists, devoted to the principles of the 1979 revolution and the supreme leader. Milana Knezevic reports
These people have been barred from entering the UK
Though Dieudonné M’bala M’bala is the latest controversial figure to be barred from entering the United Kingdom, he is certainly not alone. Milana Knezevic reports
Why US sanctions are a blow to free expression
If you live in Cuba, Iran or Sudan, and are using the increasingly popular online education tool Coursera, you are likely encounter some access difficulties from this week onwards. Coursera has been included in the US export sanctions regime. Milana Knezevic writes
State of press freedom in China and Hong Kong “reminiscent of the Mao era”
New report from the International Federation of Journalists slams “continued deterioration of press freedoms”
Arrests in Kenya over banned Wolf of Wall Street
Two people could face up to five years in prison for selling the film
Iran: Friends with (social media) benefits?
During the World Economic Forum currently taking place in Davos, Iran’s president Hassan Rouhani dropped some major news — he doesn’t write his own social media messages.
Turkey’s proposed internet law met with strong opposition
Controversy surrounds proposed amendments to a 2007 law, which would give the government wide ranging power over the internet