Index on Censorship condemns the arrest of journalist and Rappler chief executive Maria Ressa by Philippines authorities and calls on the UK to make good on its promises to defend media freedom globally by calling for her release.
CATEGORY: Campaigns — Featured
Council of Europe annual report: Media freedom in Europe
Press freedom is more fragile now than at any time since the end of the Cold War. That is the conclusion of a report by the 12 partner organisations of the Council of Europe platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists.
Uganda: Artists should not have to seek government approval to make their art
More than 130 musicians, writers and artists, together with many British and Ugandan members of parliament, have signed a petition calling on Uganda to drop plans for regulations that include vetting songs, videos and film scripts prior to their release. Â Musicians, producers, promoters, filmmakers and all other artists would also have to register with the government and obtain a licence that can be revoked for a range of violations.
Groups call on Michelle Bachelet for heightened UN scrutiny of human rights violations in Bahrain
NGOs call for co-ordinated international action and public scrutiny to address the government of Bahrain’s ongoing attacks on civil society and to hold the kingdom accountable to its commitments to international human rights laws and standards
UK NGOs concerned over press freedom implications of Crime (Overseas Production Orders) Bill
Index on Censorship joined a letter signed by seven other NGOs expressing concern over the UK’s Crime (Overseas Production Orders) Bill, which goes to the final stages of parliamentary debate on 30 January. The bill has worrying implications for press freedom and human rights, including putting journalists’ data at risk.
Azerbaijan takes step in right direction by dropping new charges against Mehman Huseynov
While Index on Censorship welcomes dropping of new charges against Mehman Huseynov, the organisation calls on Azerbaijan to release the human rights defender and journalist from prison
Ability to protest peacefully is a hallmark of a functioning democracy
Index on Censorship is alarmed by the increasing number of restrictions being placed on protests globally
Zimbabwe must release Evan Mawarire and drop all charges
Index on Censorship calls for the immediate release of activist Evan Mawarire, who was arrested in Zimbabwe on Wednesday.
Europe’s proposed regulation on online extremism endangers freedom of expression
Index on Censorship shares the widespread concerns about the proposed EU regulation on preventing the dissemination of terrorist content online. The regulation would endanger freedom of expression and would create huge practical challenges for companies and member states.
Escalating repression against Mehman Huseynov
Member and partner NGOs of 13 Human Rights Houses issue a joint letter calling for urgent action from the international community to ensure the life, health, and rights of imprisoned Azerbaijani photojournalist, video blogger, and human rights defender Mehman Huseynov.
Bahraini injustice: Nabeel Rajab conviction for tweeting upheld
Bahrain’s Court of Cassation has upheld human rights activist Nabeel Rajab’s five-year conviction for critical tweets made from his account condemning Saudi-led airstrikes in Yemen and the use of torture at Bahrain’s notorious Jau Prison.
Egyptian court upholds prison sentence against Amal Fathy
An Egyptian court on Sunday upheld a two-year prison sentence against activist Amal Fathy, who had been detained since May after posting a Facebook video that criticised sexual harassment in Egypt. Fathy was released following a court hearing on 27 December but remains under house arrest.