27 Aug 10 | Index Index, minipost
Little Britain actor Matt Lucas is taking legal action against the Daily Mail over a story that he claims breached his privacy. Entitled How Matt Lucas learned to laugh again, the article detailed how the actor was affected by the suicide of his former civil partner, Kevin McGee. Lucas said the story that appeared in March was “a very serious invasion of privacy” and an “intrusion into grief”. He claims the article included false information, such as the suggestion that he blamed himself for McGee’s death.
23 Jul 10 | Index Index, minipost
On 20 July, an employment tribunal awarded a Stockport fire fighter £80,000 after ruling that his dismissal violated his right to freedom of expression. Christopher Bennett, who suffers arthritis, was dismissed for gross misconduct in 2008 after circulating an email to colleagues asking if they found new office chairs uncomfortable. In 2006, Greater Manchester Fire Service replaced beds used by night shift workers with £400 recliner chairs. Bennett claimed the new chairs worsened his condition. The tribunal held that the dismissal violated Bennett’s right to freedom of expression under the Human Rights Act.
25 May 10 | Uncategorized
In today’s Queen’s Speech, the monarch mentioned that “Legislation will be brought forward to restore freedoms and civil liberties through the abolition of identity cards and repeal of unnecessary laws.”
This legislation will largely consist of the Freedom (Great Repeal) Bill, which, among other things, promises as a main element of its remit “the reform of libel laws to protect freedom of speech.”
This would seem to be an advance on the text of the coalition agreement, which promised only a “review of libel laws to protect freedom of speech.”
It remains to be seen whether this reform will be based on Lord Lester‘s private member’s bill. But the coalition has, in writing, committed to reform.
Now it’s important we hold them to it.
08 Apr 10 | Events
Friday 16 April 2010, 6.30pm at the Free Word Centre, 60 Farringdon Road, EC1R 3GA.
David Bond lives in the UK, one of the most intrusive surveillance states in the world. He decides to find out how much private companies and the government know about him by attempting to disappear – a decision that changes his life forever. Leaving his pregnant wife and young child behind he tries to vanish and finds himself tracked across the database state by two ruthless private investigators. This is a chilling journey that forces him to contemplate the meaning of privacy – and its loss.
This is one of a few exclusive preview screenings before a nationwide cinema release on the 29th April. Jo Glanville, the editor of Index on Censorship, will introduce the film and will lead a Q&A afterwards with the Director and the private investigators who hunted him.
“Delivered with one hand on your pulse and the other hand smacking you in the face, Erasing David is a timely clarion call to those of us interested in guarding our civil liberties in an increasingly invasive digital age. An intelligent and subtle reminder that YOU are in charge.” – Sheffield Doc/Fest UK “A brilliant new documentary.” – Henry Porter, The Guardian
“A rousing and fascinating call to arms to protect our privacy.”- The Independent, UK
Please email: [email protected] or call 020 7324 2570 to book your FREE place.
The latest Index on Censorship magazine, “Brave New Words”, opens the debate over whether technology is the saviour of free speech. With Rebecca MacKinnon interviewing Google, Wen Yunchao on how China wields control online and Gus Hosein on why governments should respect privacy.
For more information about the nationwide cinema release, please visit: http://erasingdavid.com/
