17 May 2011 | Events
A panel discussion to coincide with the installation of Ai Weiwei’s Circle of Animals / Zodiac Heads at Somerset House
Monday 23rd May 17
Portico Rooms, Somerset House
19.00-20.30
Padraig Reidy, Index on Censorship’s News Editor, will join a panel comprising Dr Anne Alexander of Cambridge University, Dr Joss Hands, author of @ is for Activism and Sunny Hundal, Editor of Liberal Conspiracy blog, to debate the wider impact of the internet and social media in particular on the practice of 21st century politics and the nature of protest movements.
The upheavals sweeping the Arab world have been hailed by some as the Twitter revolutions. But just how influential a role has social media really played in the fall of dictatorships?
Buy tickets here.
17 May 2011 | News and features
Russian rock journalist Art Troitsky’s caustic tongue has landed him in court in four separate libel cases. Emily Butselaar reports
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17 May 2011 | Uncategorized
Last Friday, Index on Censorship editor Jo Glanville wrote here about the dubious adulation of Saudi Arabia at the Prague Bookfair:
The sponsor and guest of honour at the book fair this year is Saudi Arabia. Although there are a number of politically sensitive events taking place — such as a discussion on the Arab Spring and another on social change in Saudi culture — it is not enough to let anyone forget the Saudis dismal record on freedom of speech. The sponsorship of book fairs by authoritarian regimes is becoming a disturbing trend. China was guest of honour at the Frankfurt book fair in 2009, also highly controversial and to be repeated at the London book fair next year. Russia was the market focus country this year at the London book fair. (more…)
17 May 2011 | Uncategorized
Sienna Miller’s decision to settle with News International in her phone hacking case, though not unexpected, certainly changes the picture in the phone hacking scandal. Not only does it set a precedent of a hacking victim accepting Rupert Murdoch’s pay-off in this phase of the affair, but the sum involved, of £100,000 (plus costs), may well prove a benchmark for other settlements. (more…)
A panel discussion to coincide with the installation of Ai Weiwei’s Circle of Animals / Zodiac Heads at Somerset House