Archive for December, 2009

Keep up demand for libel reform

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

libelreform
Jack Straw has noticed the clamour for change. Reform of our unfair defamation laws must now become a manifesto pledge, says Padraig Reidy
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Straw to review libel laws

Sunday, December 27th, 2009

The Ministry of Justice is to conduct a comprehensive review of England’s defamation laws, which will be experted to report in mid-March, it was revealed today. The ministry’s seemingly strong new commitment comes after over 10,000 people signed a petition supporting the Libel Reform Campaign convened by Index on Censorship, English PEN and Sense About Science. Read more here

Liu Xiaobo sentenced to 11 years in prison

Friday, December 25th, 2009

Prominent dissident Liu Xiaobo was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment on 25 December. He was charged with subversion after his part in the drafting of Charter 08, a document calling for free speech and the rule of law. Western journalists and diplomats were prohibited from attending the trial, which was condemned by free expression and human rights campaigners. Read more

Chinese censors pull popular soap opera

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

A hit television series has been prevented from continuing according to newspapers in China. The drama “Snail House” was set in a fictional mainland city and the plot centered on rising housing prices and the “fangnu,” or mortgage slaves, as they work non-stop to repay their loans. The series captured national headlines because of its relevance to real life in mainland China. The fate of the show remains unclear. One recent government website posting said some TV stations that air the series may continue, but that no others may start it or show reruns prompting outcry amongst viewers. Read more here

Cameroonian journalist abducted in Chad

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

Cameroonian journalist Innocent Ebodé was abducted from his home in the Chadian capital N’Djamena on 21 December. A military source said that he is safe in Kousséri, across the border in Cameroon, but Ebodé’s family and lawyer have not heard from him. The abduction, said to be by two men in civilian clothing, follows the journalist’s deportation in mid-October and the closure of the independent N’Djamena-based newspaper he edits, La Voix, in November. His lawyer expressed concern that the abduction was linked to the journalist’s intention to attend a court hearing regarding the seizure of La Voix on 3 December. Read Reporters Sans Frontières open letter to Chad’s minister of the interior here

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Canada takes chill off libel laws

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

The Canadian Supreme Court ruled on 23 December to strengthen the public interest defence in libel cases. The chief justice stated that the law as it stood did not “give adequate weight” to free expression. The court also moved to change the wording of the defence of “responsible journalism” to “responsible communication”, which potentially allows the law to cover new media such as blogs. The decision followed high profile libel cases involving two newspapers, the Star and the Ottawa Citizen. Read more

Mexico: democracy without voice

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

stop_killing_journalistsThe killing of 12 journalists in Mexico this year and the failure to bring murderers to justice poses a serious problem for Mexican democracy argues Ángel García Català
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Pakistan: three killed in press club bombing

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

Three people have been killed and several others injured after a suicide bomber attacked a club for journalists in Pakistan’s northwestern city of Peshawar and a dozen more injured according to police. The incident took place when a bomber blew himself up after police officials at a security gate stopped him from entering the building. The Peshawar Press Club is a well-known landmark in the city and is frequented by many journalists. At least four of the injured are believed to be journalists. Read more here