American agriculture’s great cover-up
US lawmakers have introduced measures limiting documentation of abuses within the agricultural industry. Jeanne Firth explains how “ag-gag laws” have been used to silence activists (more…)
New president Morsi faces hostile media
Egypt’s newly-elected President Mohamed Morsi has been the target of a media campaign aimed at tarnishing both his image and that of Islamists.
The campaign, launched by several Egyptian media outlets suspected of having close links with both the former regime and the military generals (who ruled the country in the transitional period), has been defending the military council’s policies while vilifying their critics. (more…)
Open letter | Russian NGO law threatens free speech
Last week the Russian parliament pushed through a bill that in its current form would brand non-profit organisations receiving funds from abroad as “foreign agents” and would require them to take part in a stringent reporting process. Opponents say the bill is part of a concerted campaign to stifle protests against President Vladimir Putin.
Index joins rights groups concerned that the amendments to Russian NGO law may limit the space for a vibrant civil society in the country. (more…)
