21 Dec 2009 | Digital Freedom, Index Index, minipost, News and features
The Australian internet company, auDA that runs the .com.au domain registry has been accused of censoring a website satirising Australian communications minister Stephen Conroy’s proposed internet censorship laws. On Friday, Sapia Pty Ltd, the company behind the website, was told by auDA that they had three hours to explain its use of the domain or it would be withdrawn. The firm said on its new site Stephenconroy.com.au was subsequently taken down a few hours later. Read more here
21 Dec 2009 | Index Index, minipost, News and features
Trevor Phillips, the chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission has said the BBC may be sanctioned if comments made by the public on its website do not comply with Labour’s new anti-discrimination laws. The move follows public criticism pver the BBC hosting an online debate on its news website asking whether gays should be executed in relation to a proposed anti-homosexuality bill in Uganda. Mark Stephens, a media lawyer who has been leading a commonwealth campaign against a proposed law in Uganda said: “ We must protect freedom of speech whether it is offensive or not. The alternative is to drive the debate underground.” Read more here
21 Dec 2009 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost, News and features
Iranian authorities have acknowledged that at least three protesters who were jailed after the countries disputed presidential elections in June, were beaten to death in prison. A military court announced that 12 prison officials had been charged with murder and other crimes. Opposition leaders say at least 73 people are known to have been killed in the unrest. The government has given varying totals, from 17 to 30. More protests are taking place as tens of thousands of mourners arrived in Iran’s holy city of Qom for the funeral of the most senior dissident cleric. Iranian authorities have barred foreign media from covering the processions for Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri. Reports are emerging that police have clashed with reformist protesters. Read more here
21 Dec 2009 | Index Index, minipost, News and features
Danish radiologist, Henrik Thomsen has said from now on he will not publish his research findings in the UK as he fears he will be sued for libel. His decision follows legal action against him by GE Healthcare, a British subsidiary of General Electric, one of the world’s biggest corporations, which has run up more than £380,000 in legal costs in an attempt to silence him. He said some kidney patients at his hospital contracted a potentially deadly condition after being administered the GE Healthcare drug Omniscan. Read more here
