Tighter privacy laws would only serve the rich and powerful

March 27th, 2012

The report by MPs on privacy talks of the importance of free expression, but the measures it proposes fly in the face of that aim,  says Index’s John Kampfner

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Kirsty Hughes appointed as new Index Chief Executive

February 9th, 2012

 The board of Index on Censorship is delighted to announce that it has appointed Kirsty Hughes as the organisation’s new Chief Executive (more…)

UK: Disorder no excuse to clamp down on internet

November 2nd, 2011

Governments must not crack down on internet and mobile phone networks during times of unrest, the British Prime Minister David Cameron said yesterday. Speaking at a two-day international cybersecurity conference in London, Cameron said that cybersecurity should not be an “excuse for censorship or to deny their people the opportunities that the internet represents”. Speaking at the same conference, Index on Censorship CEO John Kampfner said: “as soon as our own Western-style stability of the state is called into question then freedom of expression is expendable. There should be one rule for all, including Western governments.”

Libel reform: a final push

October 19th, 2011

As Parliament takes a significant step in its slow removal of the UK’s pariah status on defamation, John Kampfner describes the progress on libel reform
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Libel reform campaign responds to parliamentary committee findings

October 19th, 2011

The Libel Reform Campaign is calling for the government to honour manifesto promises for a defamation bill with a strong public interest defence to protect authors, bloggers, scientists, academics and NGOs
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We’re too easily offended

August 22nd, 2011

The Starkey brouhaha follows a well-trodden path says John Kampfner.  Curmudgeonly man says something crass. Somebody gets cross.  

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News of the World fallout could change Britain’s media culture

July 11th, 2011

Axing the PCC means re-examining the balance of privacy v public interest – but will investigative journalism pay the price? Asks John Kampfner
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Britain’s media must start policing itself

July 6th, 2011

No one can now be in any doubt about the depths to which some in the British media will sink to get a story. John Kampfner reports

This article first appeared in the Financial Times
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