The closure of Nadine Dorries's blog simply on suspicion of defamation emphasises the need for reform of libel legislation says Padraig Reidy It's probably not the best time to be seen defending an MP, but here goes. Conservative MP Nadine Dorries...
CATEGORY: News and features
Australia’s impotent censors
The Australian government's ignorance about the Internet is impeding attempts to ban online content, says John Ozimek Over the last six months, I have been keeping a close watch on events “down under”. The Australian government has proposed --- to...
Sherry Jones: “We must speak out for free speech”
Why are UK distributors refusing to handle The Jewel of Medina? It's time to raise an outcry says its author “Aren’t you scared?” I get asked this question all the time, most recently in the wake of the news that three radical extremist Muslim men...
Burma’s media blackout
The Burmese authorities are keeping tight control on coverage of Aung San Suu Kyi’s trial, reports Nem Davies Burma's state-controlled media has neglected to report on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her ongoing trial, in stark contrast to the attention...
Peter Hitchens: bring back arguments
As the divide narrows between left and right in Britain, so too does the space for adversarial dialogue and free expression There used to be an inch of difference between the two main British political parties. But, as the Australian 1960s radical...
Pakistan: journalism is first casualty
As reporters flee fighting in the Swat valley, Zubeida Mustafa reports on the conflict’s effect on Pakistan’s press “Journalists love the thrill of working in ‘conflict zones’ where they can cover events which change the course of history,” says...
Orlando Figes: a victory for Russian history
A St Petersburg court has confirmed that the police raid on Gulag archive Memorial was illegal A small victory for historical justice was won in the courts of St Petersburg last week. In a final ruling on the police raid of the Memorial archives in...
Dimbleby: fearful BBC risks losing its way
The BBC Trust’s condemnation of Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen has the potential to cause serious damage to the corporation’s international standing, says Jonathan Dimbleby The decision by the BBC Trust to censure the BBC’s Middle East editor for...
Lebedev ‘cannot pay staff’
Evening Standard owner Alexander Lebedev has delayed payment to 120 staff on his award-winning Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, after running into financial difficulties. Read more here
Eady rules against Singh in chiropractic defamation case
The English High Court has ruled that science writer Simon Singh, must show that the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) was deliberately dishonest in promoting chiropractic as a treatment for various children’s ailments. Mr Justice Eady ruled,...