The UK government is considering new laws that target whistleblowers and journalists who obtain or share state secrets. Draft legislation proposed as part of an upcoming overhaul of the UK’s Official Secrets Acts (OSA) could see individuals jailed for up to 14 years for handling leaked information. This is a substantial increase from current laws, which carry a punishment of up to two years’ jail time and an unlimited fine, but only cover the disclosure of such leaked secrets. Read the full article
Dubbed, “The Egyptian Jon Stewart,” Bassem Youssef hosts the most popular television programme in the Middle East. In the midst of the Egyptian Arab Spring, Youssef left his job as a heart surgeon to become a full-time comedian, and his show ‘Al-Bernameg’ (The Show) now brings in 30 million viewers per episode. In a country where freedom of speech is becoming increasingly restricted with each regime change, Youssef and his courageous staff of young writers develop creative methods to non-violently challenge abuses of power. Enduring physical threats, protests, and legal action, the team test how far they can take the joke.
Sara Taksler, 2016, Documentary, 111 minutes
Arabic, English
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Proposed legislation that could see journalists and whistleblowers sentenced up to 14 years for leaking official documents has no place in a democracy.
The proposals were drawn up by the Law Commission as part of a review of the Official Secrets Act and would cover any data that affects the UK’s national and international interests, including economic interests. The public’s right to know about the Brexit negotiations, for instance, could be put into jeopardy if these proposals were brought into force.
A media that is free to expose corruption and wrongdoing in public bodies is essential for a healthy democracy. These proposals are a fresh body blow to public interest journalism in this country and Index will be making our absolute opposition clear in the consultation on these documents that have been so belatedly offered.
As Index CEO Jodie Ginsberg told The Telegraph: “It is unthinkable that whistle blowers and those to whom they reveal their information should face jail for leaking and receiving information that is in the public interest. It is shocking that so few organisations were consulted on these proposed changes.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_basic_grid post_type=”post” max_items=”4″ element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1487007165742-bd346d65-3f1f-0″ taxonomies=”8996″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
The UK government is considering new proposals that would drastically increase prison sentences for individuals and journalists found guilty of obtaining or sharing state secrets. In a bid to modernize the Official Secrets Acts, a new espionage-focused law could lead to sentences of up to 14 years, which currently sits at two years and an unlimited fine, for coming into contact with “sensitive information,” whether they’ve acquired it or have been passed it in secret. Read the full article
