Padraig Reidy on why we must combat taboos about discussing events of the past
Bad history and bad politics
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CATEGORY: News
Egyptian journalist’s death still impacting press freedoms, solidarity
While Egypt’s hugely controversial Al-Jazeera trial has been grabbing international attention, the recent death of 22-year-old reporter Mayada Ashraf – allegedly at the hands of the police – appears to have left more of a lasting impact on Egyptian journalists working amid the ongoing violence, Tom Rollins reports
Expose crony capitalism and be censored in India
A book detailing the allegedly shady dealing behind a gas contract has been targeted by the companies involved in the latest example of censorship in India, writes Saurav Datta.
Singapore: Independent media making a mark despite restrictions
As Singaporeans increasing turn to the internet as their source of news and information, websites and blogs are making an unmistakable impact on the city state’s media landscape, Kirsten Han reports
Egypt: Prime minister suspends controversial film
Rights activists and groups say the removal of Halawet Rooh (Beauty of the Soul) from theatres is part of a wider clampdown on artistic expression. Shahira Amin reports
Boosting Big Brother: Canada and the Digital Privacy Act
Knowledge, claimed Francis Bacon, is power. It is also money. Which is why Canada’s newly drafted Digital Privacy Act, Bill S-4, is considered by the privacy fraternity to be a demon of some proportions, Binoy Kampmark writes
Swaziland: On trial for criticising the judicial system
Human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko and journalist and editor Bheki Makhubu return to court today facing charges of “scandalising the judiciary” and “contempt of court” for writing about corruption and lack of impartiality, writes Gia Armstrong
India’s elections: Hate speech and the “greatest show on Earth”
Electioneering for the Indian elections of 2014 has reached a fever pitch. Political parties seem to be indulging in the same hate speech, communal politicking and calculations that work to polarise the electorate and garner votes. Mahima Kaul reports
India’s Supreme Court junks the Hicklin Test, but there’s little cause for cheer
India’s Supreme Court’s reliance on “redeeming social value” and “community standards” provides cause for consternation, writes Saurav Datta
Filtering in the UK: The hinterland of legality, where secrecy trumps court rulings
A slip during an interview revealed the sneaking suspicion of free thinkers. The UK government was no longer restricting itself to censoring web content which was illegal. It was going to start censoring content which it simply didn’t like, Ian Dunt writes