Campbell privacy measure raises concern
The barring of photographers from picturing the supermodel at the Hague highlights the clash between privacy and free expression. Simon Jennings reports
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Indonesia: Ban on Australian film Balibo
The Indonesian government has placed a ban on the screening of the Australian feature film Balibo due to its sensitive issues.
The film tells the story of 5 Australian based journalists who were killed in the town of Balibo in Timor Leste in 1975. The Film Censorship Board in Indonesia argues that it could ‘reopen old wounds’ about East Timor. A screening of Balibo was orginally scheduled at the 11th Jakarta International Film Festival (JIFFest) but was cancelled after the festival committee received notification of the ban on Tuesday.
South African press freedom under threat
The ruling African National Congress (ANC) is proposing a law which would entitle the South African government to prevent journalists investigating or publishing anything deemed to be in the national interest. The law would introduce a Media tribunal, where the government would effectively judge what the media could publish. Another section would force journalists to reveal confidential sources. Critics claim press freedom is already under threat in South Africa; recently journalist Mzilikazi wa Afrika was arrested just days after reporting on a large property deal undertaken by the National Police Commissioner Bheki Cele. Cole had vocally attacked wa Afrika over the article.
FBI seeks access to private email information
The US government has introduced new legislation which would allow the FBI to demand personal information from private email accounts. The bill would enable FBI field officers to access information regarding the times and dates emails were sent, as well as the private email addresses of correspondents. The FBI would not need to possess a court order and would simply need to deem the information relevant to demand private details from internet providers. ISP’s would be forced to keep the requests secret.