Obama might be snubbing Sochi, but these lesser-known politicians should get their share of the spotlight
Who are Putin’s Olympic guests?
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CATEGORY: Europe and Central Asia
Belarus: Time for media reform
In a new policy paper, launched today in Minsk, Index on Censorship calls for the much-needed reforms of the media field in Belarus.
Reprehensible 5651 calls into question Turkey’s commitment to democracy
The decision by Turkey's parliament to approve a new internet law that tightens restrictions is a major blow to freedom of expression in Turkey. The European Union must make it clear that Turkey is jeopardising its membership talks with the Union...
Russia’s Winter Olympics: A fake show of LGBT tolerance
Drawing a screen around the realities of life for gay Russians, President Vladimir Putin and the organizers of the Sochi Winter Olympic games are presenting a decidedly friendly face to international visitors. Elena Vlasenko reports
These people have been barred from entering the UK
Though Dieudonné M’bala M’bala is the latest controversial figure to be barred from entering the United Kingdom, he is certainly not alone. Milana Knezevic reports
Russian Olympic censorship combats Putin’s slipping domestic image
Media will face increased restrictions in the build up to the Winter Games in Sochi as Russian president Vladimir Putin tries to rehabilitate a damaged domestic reputation
Making life harder for Britain’s journalists
The coalition has found a novel way of making life harder for Britain’s journalists. Now it appears to have set itself the challenge of abandoning the reforms without losing face, too. Alex Stevenson reports
Greece: A tale of two protests
On Saturday, banned Golden Dawn were left to march in peace, while police clashed with demonstrators at an anti-fascist protest, Christos Syllas writes
Ireland’s RTE under fire for apology to Iona Institute
Irish state-run television broadcaster RTE has come under heavy criticism after offering a full apology and possible financial compensation to the Iona Institute, a conservative Catholic lobby groups declared “homophobic” by a talk show guest
Turkey’s internet law following nebulous drafting process
Some freedom of speech activists insist that the most effective resistance to censorship will be promoting internet security, writes Catherine Stupp