Microsoft is extending its program of giving free software licences to non-profit organisations. The initiative was first applied to Russia, after it was discovered that authorities were using software piracy inquiries as a method of suppressing...
CATEGORY: Index Index
Spain sues Google over Street View
The Spanish Agency for Data Protection (AEPD) has filed a lawsuit against Google. Following an investigation launched in May, the Street View service has been charged with violating the country’s data protection laws. In August, a judge decided to...
Canada: Activist silenced by “astonishing” bail conditions
A Canadian court has placed numerous restrictions on an activist as part of his bail release. Alex Hundert may not speak with any member of the press, nor may he plan, attend, or participate in any public event related to a political issue. He was...
Egypt: Media crackdown continues
Egyptian authorities have continued their pre-election crackdown on the independent media. Most recently private production companies that provide live broadcast services to independent television stations have had their licences revoked. It is...
Turkey: Kurdish activists go on trial
Kurdish politicians and activists, 151 in total, have gone on trial in Diyarbakir, the largest city in the Kurdish-dominated southeast. The charges include membership of illegal groups, spreading propaganda and violating laws on public...
Iran: Opposition blogger arrested
Doctor and blogger Mehdi Khazali has been arrested in Tehran, charged with “acting against national security and disturbing public opinion”. His website is openly critical of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and he has controversially claimed that...
USA: Pentagon braces for more leaks
The Pentagon is preparing itself for the release of 400,000 intelligence files relating to the Iraq war. Following Wikileaks' release of 77,000 files concerning operations in Afghanistan, the whistle-blowing site is believed to have gathered...
Turkey: Petition to free Turkish singer
More than 1000 people have signed petition calling on authorities to drop trial against singer and Ferhat Tunç, who is facing a prison sentence of up to 15 years after a speech he made at a cultural festival of Siirt. The case against the defendant...
DRC: Radio journalist charged with defamation
A Congolese journalist who was arrested on 7 October has been charged with defamation. Kasereka Taipa, who works for local radio station Moto Oicha, and also reports for radio Victoire Horizon, had accused the national intelligence agency (ANR) of...
Zimbabwe: Journalist faces charges over protest coverage
A newspaper journalist who photographed a Roman Catholic protest is facing charges of "practising journalism without accreditation". Flata Kavinga was arrested at the demonstration on 10 October and detained for over 24 hours. His camera was...