Jack Straw’s move is welcome, but cosmetic surgery won’t be enough to end this international embarrassment, writes
Jo Glanville
CATEGORY: Comment
The Velvet Revolutionary
On 17 November 1989, the police crushed a peaceful student demonstration in Prague. The crackdown led to national protests, culminating in a general strike. Within 11 days, the mass demonstrations had overthrown the communist regime. Václav Havel was elected president on 29 December. Jan Bubeník became the youngest politician in the new government. He spoke to Jo Glanville
Cuban bloggers under attack
An alleged assault on Generación Y’s Yoani Sánchez demonstrates the Castro regime’s fear of free expression on the web. Nick Caistor reports
Libel reform: The laws that stain Britain’s good name
As Index on Censorship and English Pen launch “Free Speech is Not For Sale”, a damning report on English libel laws, John Kampfner highlights the pressing need for reform
The Libel Report: The silence of the arts, the press, science, charities…
A new report by English PEN Index on Censorship argues that fear of libel action means that freedom of expression is under threat as never before, John Kampfner tells the Independent’s Ian Burrell
UK: Rebuilding freedoms
The road to greater surveillance and restrictions of liberties has been paved with good intentions from both the right and left, says Matthew Ryder. As the public mood changes, it is worth keeping this in mind
Huhne: Why I will face Nick Griffin on the BBC
The BNP leader’s appearance on Question Time is not a “no platform” issue, says Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary Chris Huhne. It is time to confront the BNP by championing moderation and tolerance
The ultimate assault on free speech
Law firm Carter-Ruck’s super-injunction to attempt to stop the reporting of a question on the Trafigura affair in Parliament has galvanised MPs and other bodies to take up the fight for freedom of expression. John Kampfner reports
MEPs lose parliamentary access
Elected representative have been denied privileged access to the House of Commons. Is censorship a factor? Index on Censorship reports
An unlikely champion
Geert Wilders visit today to Westminster is a small blow against censorship, says Oliver Kamm