On Tuesday, after a High Court hearing, a ban was lifted on an exhibition by photographer Dr. Shahidul Alam. The exhibition, named “Crossfire”, contained a collection of photographs and displays regarding extrajudicial executions by the Bangladeshi Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). The show at the Drik Gallery in Dakha was closed by police on 22 March, 2010.
Laws were revised late last Friday forbidding journalists from filming, recording or photographing subjects without their express permission. Parliamentarian Panah Huseynov claims this is a move to restrict the freedom of press and announced he would appeal to the courts regarding the law. Several prominent newspaper editors, including the former editor of the Russian-language weekly Real Azerbaijan, Eynulla Fatullayev, are now serving prison sentences on charges that critics claim are politically motivated.
A criminal case has been filed against the photographer and documentary film maker Umida Akhmedova in Uzbekistan for “slander” and “insult”. Akhmedova is incriminated for her involvement in “Women and men: from dawn till dusk” photo album, produced in 2007. The album consists of 110 pictures, reflecting lifestyle in Uzbekistan and according to the Tashkent public prosecutor’s office “is the insult and slander of Uzbek people”. It is unclear which photo is implicated but the charges could mean she faces six months in jail. Read more here
A college lecturer is facing disciplinary action after showing erotic material to his students. John Ozimek wonders what the problem is (more…)