Index on Censorship writer told bank doesn’t do “this sort of thing”. Padraig Reidy
Natwest refuses account for author of book on porn censorship
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CATEGORY: News and features
Who are Putin’s Olympic guests?
Obama might be snubbing Sochi, but these lesser-known politicians should get their share of the spotlight
India’s courts caught in pornophobia
The Indian Supreme Court’s observations while hearing a petition in which online pornography is blamed for of the “epidemic” of rape and sexual violence is redolent of the pornophobia which had gripped the puritanical English legal system in the Victorian era, writes Saurav Datta
Australia’s “Auntie” pummelled over Indonesia coverage
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation has been called unAustralian by prime minister Tony Abbott, who has also called for a review of its funding. Helen Clark reports
Iran’s online conservatives skirt social media restrictions
A new report by Small Media sheds light on the Arzeshi, a hardline, conservative faction of online activists, devoted to the principles of the 1979 revolution and the supreme leader. Milana Knezevic reports
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
Indonesia’s democracy is no guarantee to freedom of faith
In the run up to this year’s elections, Indonesia’s politicians would have you believe that religious freedom is not a problem for the world’s largest Muslim population country. Endy Bayuni 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
Brazil moves to unmask protesters
On the heels of 2013’s mass protests, Brazil’s state and local governments have introduced restrictions on the use of masks during protests. Simone Marques 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