Contents: The big squeeze

Spring 2017 contributors include Richard Sambrook, Dominic Grieve, Roger Law, Karim Miské, Mark Frary and Canan Coşkun

Global heroes battling censorship announced in Index Freedom of Expression Awards shortlist

Sixteen courageous individuals and organisations who fight for freedom of expression in every part of the world

Ten countries where people have been arrested over social media messages

This week prominent Bahraini activist Nabeel Rajab was sentenced to six months over a tweet

Combatting the Snowden Effect: National interest and media freedom in Australia

A piece of proposed legislation in the senate in Australia is attempting to wrestle with the legacy of the Snowden leaks with potential implications for media freedom. Nicholas Williams reports

Australia: Prime minister’s department cracks down on civil servant criticism

Under new guidelines, Australian civil servants working for the prime ministers's office caught criticising the government can be sanctioned for illicit social media use, Helen Clark reports

Australia debates repeal of parts of racial discrimination act

Recent moves to repeal sections of Australia's Racial Discrimination Act have sparked public debate and anger on both sides of the political divide, Helen Clark reports

Australia: Authorities want ISPs to police the web

The government will consider various legal means to provide a “legal incentive” for internet service providers to collaborate with copyright owners to combat infringements, Binoy Kampmar writes

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

From Assange to Murdoch: Australia’s free speech landscape

As Australians go to the polls, how does their country shape up on free expression? Helen Clark reports

Australia: Google urges rejection of web regulation

Google has urged the Australian federal government to reject an interim independent report recommending the country’s internet be regulated in a similar manner to television, arguing it would be unclear how regulation online could be imposed without a filter. Its proposals, if successful, would usher in a “new independent regulator for content and communications” that is technology-neutral. […]

Australian internet providers employ censors

Australian service providers, including Telstra and Optus, will voluntarily block websites deemed by the government as showing and disseminating child pornography. Those who attempt to access the blacklisted sites will be redirected to the site of the International Criminal Police Organisation. Wikileaks revealed that on the blacklist are some gay and straight porn sites, fringe […]

Australia: PM backs new internet filter

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has renewed her support for a controversial new web filter, saying the measure was driven by a  “moral question“. The proposed filter will block access to material such as rape, drug use, bestiality and child abuse. Internet giants Google, Yahoo and Microsoft have criticised the plans, saying they set a […]