Home Secretary Theresa May’s plan to store information on every citizen’s use of email, the web, and phones have been dealt a severe blow by a parliamentary committee. Padraig Reidy reports
CATEGORY: Europe and Central Asia
Using art to campaign for democracy in Azerbaijan
In Azerbaijan, it is not only journalists who face intimidation, arrests and violence: artists, musicians and writers also come under attack for...
UK: Public Order Act may drop “insulting” as an offence
Section 5 of the 1986 Public Order Act could be adjusted to remove the word "insulting" from legislation, it was announced today (10 December)....
Turkish Prime Minister takes on historical soap opera
In Turkey, television drama is big business. A handful of big-budget productions attract millions of viewers every week, both at home and abroad....
Charlie Hebdo sued by Muslim organisations
French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo is being sued by two Muslim organisations for cartoons it published of the Muslim prophet Muhammad in...
Russia’s anti-gay laws no laughing matter
The gay community is one of the most vulnerable minorities in Russia, and homophobia is one of the country’s most rampant prejudices. According to...
The obscure threat to the internet you need to know about
As an arcane UN body seeks new relevance and campaigns to take over internet governance, Dominique Lazanski outlines the risks it poses to net freedom and free speech
Libel tourism: Blogger sued in the UK by Tanzanian media tycoon wins case
A blogger sued for libel by a Tanzanian media tycoon won her case today (30 November). At the High Court in London, Mr Justice Bean ruled in favour...
Leveson inquiry: Politicians must give weight to free speech
The judge’s part is done, now its up to the press and parliament. Can the press convince politicians they are capable of reform? Or will the government decide it needs powers to control the press?
The UK Free Expression Scorecard
Index on Censorship launches its UK Free Expression Scorecard warning there is a worrying outlook for free speech in Britain today