The road to greater surveillance and restrictions of liberties has been paved with good intentions from both the right and left, says Matthew Ryder. As the public mood changes, it is worth keeping this in mind
UK: Rebuilding freedoms
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CATEGORY: Europe and Central Asia
The BBC and the BNP: An uncomfortable public service
John Kampfner: British National Party leader Nick Griffin received the oxygen of publicity he craved by winning his spot on Question Time, Britain’s premier TV debate show, but at the end of a nation’s ordeal, democracy emerged intact.
MPs and campaigners call for ban on super injunctions
Index on Censorship and English PEN today welcomed MPs’ robust response to law firm Carter-Ruck’s challenge to reporting of parliament, and called for a ban on the use of so-called ‘super injunctions’ except in extreme circumstances.
Huhne: Why I will face Nick Griffin on the BBC
The BNP leader’s appearance on Question Time is not a “no platform” issue, says Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary Chris Huhne. It is time to confront the BNP by championing moderation and tolerance
Spy book in Supreme Court
A former British spy is in court today in an attempt to stop a ban on a book he has written. The UK government say the revalations in the book could harm national security. Read more here Read Tamsin Allen's article on the case for Index on...
MEPs lose parliamentary access
Elected representative have been denied privileged access to the House of Commons. Is censorship a factor? Index on Censorship reports
An unlikely champion
Geert Wilders visit today to Westminster is a small blow against censorship, says Oliver Kamm
Simon Singh wins leave to appeal in BCA libel case
A court ruling today affirmed science writer Simon Singh’s right to free expression. It grants him leave to appeal Mr Justice Eady’s ruling against him in a libel action brought by the British Chiropractic Association, reports Padraig Reidy
A gag too far
Carter-Ruck’s attempt to muzzle coverage of its client Trafigura backfired spectacularly when it sought to gag reporting on parliament, reports Maria Margaronis
British Wilders ban “wrong”, tribunal reports
The UK's Asylum and Immigration Tribunal has ruled that then-Home Secretary Jacqui Smith was wrong to ban controversial Dutch politician Geert Wilders entry to the United Kingdom. Read more here