Do we have the right to not be offended? Newtownabbey council said “yes” when they cancelled what they labelled a blasphemous play, writes Katie Dancey.
Reflecting on Northern Ireland’s self-appointed theatre censors
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CATEGORY: Politics and Society
Ofcom UKIP decision leaves broadcasters wondering about editorial freedom
Ofcom’s decision to declare the UKIP a ‘major party’ has led to questions about who should be allowed to address the public. Behind the scenes, broadcasters have asked why their right to editorial freedom is restricted at all, Sophie Armour reports
Uganda: Pushing journalists toward self-censorship
In Uganda, journalists are not only dealing with outright censorship. It seems the government of president Yoweri Museveni is employing a strategy that is aimed at pushing journalists towards self-censorship, Jos Van Steelandt writes
Why it is open season for hate speech in India’s elections
Cynical politicians make the most of ineffective laws and a weak regulator, Saurav Data reports
Burundi: Nkurunziza targets the press
After a bloody civil war, Burundi looked like it had turned the corner, until the country’s president rounded on the press with repressive legislation, Jos Van Steelandt reports
Bad history and bad politics
Padraig Reidy on why we must combat taboos about discussing events of the past
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
The best job in the world: Gabriel GarcĂa Márquez on journalism
Colombian writer Gabriel GarcĂa Márquez, who died on 17 April, wrote this piece on the evolution of journalism for Index on Censorship magazine in 1997.
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
