Spain: The formidable voices of the plazas

March 19th, 2013

The international economic crisis led to widespread demonstrations that changed the face of citizen protest in Spain and shaped activism in many cities across Europe. But now there is a move to criminalise one of the most powerful movements in recent years, says Juan Luis Sánchez

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Spain: Historical amnesia on display

November 28th, 2012

An artist is being sued for depicting Spanish dictator Francisco Franco jammed in a fridge. Miren Gutierrez examines the restrictions on art exploring the Spanish Civil War
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Grit in the engine

April 3rd, 2012

Robert McCrum considers Index’s role in the history of the fight for free speech, from the oppression of the Cold War to censorship online

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Cuba: Correspondent’s press credentials revoked

September 6th, 2011

The Cuban government this weekend revoked the press credentials of journalist Mauricio Vicent, correspondent for Spanish newspaper El País. Cuban authorities said that Vicent, who has been a reporter on the island for twenty years, had portrayed a “biased and negative image” of Cuba. Since 2007, the Cuban government has prohibited reporting by foreign correspondents from the Chicago Tribune, the BBC and Mexico’s El Universal.

Spain: Journalist among those arrested in anti-austerity protests

August 8th, 2011

Journalist Gorka Ramos was among the four demonstrators arrested for public disorder last Friday when armed riot police clashed with anti-austerity demonstrators in Madrid. A video of Ramos, who works for Spanish news site La Información, shows him being addressed by the police while he was tweeting the events, he was subsequently beaten. La Información reports that 13 protesters were treated for injuries and that Ramos is being held in a Madrid jail, unable to speak to his family or employer. According to the police, Ramos was arrested for insulting and spitting on them.

UK: New Google Street View privacy pressure

October 25th, 2010

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), Britain’s privacy watchdog, has reopened its investigation into Google Street View after the company admitted it copied personal data. Google is facing similar pressures from privacy watchdogs in other countries, including Spain, Germany, and Canada. In May, the ICO had investigated revelations that Google had gathered unprotected information but it concluded that no “significant” personal details had been collected. The renewed scrutiny stems from Google’s admission, following analysis by other privacy bodies, that they had harvested more information than previously thought.

Spain sues Google over Street View

October 19th, 2010

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 investigate a similar complaint made by another association (APEDANICA). AEPD says that, if found guilty, Google could be hit with fines of between 84,000 and 840,000 dollars for each offence. Street View has proved controversial in a number of countries, including Germany, Switzerland and the UK.

Cuba to release 52 political prisoners

July 12th, 2010

The Cuban authorities have announced that they intend to release 52 political prisoners. The first prisoners are expected to arrive in Madrid tomorrow (13 July). Cuba has come under increased international pressure following the death of political prisoner Orlando Zapato Tamayo in February. Tamayo had been on a hunger strike. The first five prisoners are being allowed to travel to Spain with their relatives. The remaining 47 will be released over the next few months, they will also be allowed to relocate to Spain. The Cuban Human Rights Commission claims that after the releases Cuban jails will still hold 110 political prisoners.