3 Apr 2012 | Index Index, minipost
A citizen journalist who was shot during a peaceful protest in Bahrain has died in hospital. Ahmed Ismael Hassan al-Samadi was shot in the thigh whilst filming tear-gas being fired on protesters near Bahrain’s capital. It is believed al-Samadi was targeted for having a video camera, by armed men who were accompanying security forces. Violence has intensified in Bahrain in the run up to the Grand Prix, which will take place later this month.
2 Apr 2012 | Academic Freedom, News and features
As a crucial legal battle comes to a head, Anthony McIntyre explores the contempt for academic research and protection of confidential sources behind the courtroom drama (more…)
2 Apr 2012 | Index Index, minipost
Reports have emerged suggesting a Chinese blogger who criticised a public official in his personal blog was secretly sentenced to prison in 2010. Voice of America has reported that Gao Yingpu, a journalist who has written for the Asia Pacific Economic Times, was sentenced to three years imprisonment in a secret trial. It is believed Gao was imprisoned following his criticism of disgraced Communist Party Secretary Bo Xilai. Gao’s wife confirmed her husband was arrested in July 2010 and was sentenced for endangering state security. His former classmate told local media that the journalist’s wife signed a written promise not to publicise the case.
30 Mar 2012 | Uncategorized
Any short journey on the US’s highways is riddled with attempts to convert commuters to fast food, mattresses, outlet malls, and followers of the Lord. The age-old tradition of using a billboard with a catchy message was recently used by the American Atheists organisation, and they managed to twist a few knickers in the process. In an attempt to target closeted atheists in more insular religious communities, the organisation posted billboards saying “you know it’s a myth…and you have a choice” in Arabic and Hebrew in Muslim and Jewish communities in New York. I went on CNN’s Connect the World with Becky Anderson on Thursday to debate with Larry Taunton, a Christian commentator, about the outrage over the billboards, which some have deemed to be too “inflammatory”.
Are there problems with the approach? Maybe — but that’s an entirely different conversation. Do they have the right to put up the billboards? Absolutely. You cannot ban hate or ignorance, and to be frank, we could use some more honesty in these conversation. Either way, it’s safe to say that the precedent has already been set. I will let America’s roads do the talking:
