French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo is being sued by two Muslim organisations for cartoons it published of the Muslim prophet Muhammad in September. The organisations, Algerian Democratic Rally for Peace and Progress and the United Arab...
CATEGORY: Europe and Central Asia
Russia’s anti-gay laws no laughing matter
The gay community is one of the most vulnerable minorities in Russia, and homophobia is one of the country’s most rampant prejudices. According to Levada centre research, around 74 per cent of Russian citizens consider members of the Lesbian, Gay,...
The obscure threat to the internet you need to know about
As an arcane UN body seeks new relevance and campaigns to take over internet governance, Dominique Lazanski outlines the risks it poses to net freedom and free speech
Libel tourism: Blogger sued in the UK by Tanzanian media tycoon wins case
A blogger sued for libel by a Tanzanian media tycoon won her case today (30 November). At the High Court in London, Mr Justice Bean ruled in favour of Sarah Hermitage, who used her Silverdale Farm blog to criticise Reginald Mengi, Executive...
Leveson inquiry: Politicians must give weight to free speech
The judge’s part is done, now its up to the press and parliament. Can the press convince politicians they are capable of reform? Or will the government decide it needs powers to control the press?
The UK Free Expression Scorecard
Index on Censorship launches its UK Free Expression Scorecard warning there is a worrying outlook for free speech in Britain today
Attacks on journalists and activists must stop
The International Day to End Impunity is a campaign to highlight the necessity of protecting press freedom around the world, says Padraig Reidy
Europe has a duty to speak out on Vaxevanis
Index on Censorship and other freedom of expression groups urge the European Union to defend free speech
What Russia censored in October
In October a wave of censorship swept the Russian internet prior to the official introduction of a new federal internet blacklist law on 1 November. Regional authorities targeted internet service providers to block access to websites featuring...
After world attention fades, Azerbaijani activists are attacked and arrested during protest
Journalists and activists were arrested and brutally attacked on Saturday, 17 November during an opposition protest in the Azerbaijani capital Baku. Despite wearing clearly-marked press jackets, a number of independent reporters were assaulted,...
