In the run up to the presidential elections in October 2013, there have been increased attacks on freedom of expression in Azerbaijan. And social media has become a new target for the country’s authorities, says Idrak Abbasov
Russian non-governmental organisations are facing a wave of state inspections, which some believe are taking place as revenge for united protests against a law classifying international NGOs as “foreign agents”. The list of NGOs visited by prosecutors and other inspectors during last days, is impressive: Transparency International, Amnesty International, Memorial, Moscow Helsinki Group, Human Rights Watch, Agora, For Human Rights (Za prava cheloveka), GOLOS, and numerous regional NGOs. Even regional organisation Shield and Sword of Chuvashiya, which actually appealed to the Ministry of Justice seeking “foreign agents” status, has received a notification of an inspection. According to the law, an NGO that receives financing from abroad, has to register as “foreign agent” or face criminal charges. “Foreign agents” are obliged to […]
It became clear in February that internet censorship in Russia could be expanded to include sites with gay content. The State Duma voted for a bill banning “propaganda” for homosexuality involving minors, the second reading of which is scheduled for 25 May. Many commentators believe that by then the bill will include amendments extending the list of conditions for blocking websites to include those containing information about homosexuality, which could be blocked without a court order. Current laws on protection of children could be similarly amended. Duma deputy Elena Mizulina stated: “No adult has the right to impose their sexual preferences on a person under 18 years of age. Propaganda for homosexuality should be considered information inappropriate for children.” The […]
In Belarus, a little over half of the population accepts state propaganda as truth. Yanina Melnikava argues that the Belarusian state would like to keep it this way
The Royal Charter has raised grave concerns over damages and chilling effect on web users
Leveson fiasco: costs and other questions
Attempts to criminalise demonstrations in Spain could change the face of citizen protest, says Juan Luis Sánchez
Index CEO Kirsty Hughes responds to the breakdown of cross-party press regulation talks
The Financial Times, the Guardian, and the Independent this week shifted their position towards a compromise on press regulation. Index criticises the change of stance, which risks threatening press freedom