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Media freedom reforms “much needed” in Belarus
Belarusian “Iron Lady” Natallia Piatkevich who hosted a meeting with a group of media freedom NGOs in Minsk had a hard task to defend the country’s Soviet-style media regulation system. The group, including London Human Rights House’s representative Rohan Jayasekera, yielded to no persuasion: they urged Belarusian authorities to bring the media environment in compliance with international standards.
What Ahmadinejad didn’t mention at the UN
As Iran’s president was preparing to address the UN General Assembly, the Index on Censorship published an appeal by Malu Halasa who called for the release of her friend and colleague, Canadian-Iranian journalist Maziar Bahari, right. “Mr Ahmadinejad, free Maziar Bahari. You can cut down a thousand forests and wait for them to grow back again, but you won’t find another like him”, – wrote Halasa.
Transit Tehran — Art and Documentary from Iran
An exhibition of photography, art and short documentary films. Exhibition ends on 6 November.
Launch of report on impunity and the media in Russia
Russia remains one of the deadliest countries in the world for journalists, with one of the worst records in solving crimes against the press. On Thursday 17 September Index on Censorship hosts the launch of a major report by Committee to Protect Journalists on impunity and the media in Russia.
Launch of Free Word Centre
Free Word, where media meets literature and people work collaborately, promotes the power of the written and spoken word and protects creativity and free expression.
Free expression organisations condemn Aung San Suu Kyi verdict
Free expression organisations have condemned the verdict against Aung San Suu Kyi and her sentencing to a further 18 months of house arrest. This unjust judgment by a court in Rangoon’s Insein Prison means that the pro-democracy leader will not be able to take part in the country’s forthcoming elections, due to take place next year.
Burma: Between the Lines
When: Thursday, 8. January 2009 6.30-10.30 To: Thursday, 8. January 2009 Where: London, Free Word Centre Host: Index on Censorship/Article 19
UK government abolishes seditious libel and criminal defamation
Writers and freedom of speech campaigners expressed relief on Friday that the UK government has finally relented and agreed to abolish the offences of seditious libel and criminal defamation. The Ministry of Justice’s move comes after a long campaign by free speech organisations, their advocates, and opposition politicians.
Ireland: Blasphemy law a backward step
-The government should not be creating new laws to enforce provisions written in the reactionary 1930s, says the Irish writer Michael Nugent, right. Nugent is also the chair of the advocacy group Atheist Ireland.