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UK: Absurd conviction for Twitter joke overturned
This week the UK‘s high court overturned the conviction of Paul Chambers saying that his Tweet in 2010, in which he jokingly threatened to blow up Nottingham’s airport, was not a “menacing communication”. Article 19 intervened in the case arguing that criminalising jokes online is a violation of the right to freedom of expression.
Belarus: journalist put behind bars for publishing photos of teddy bears that were not there
A young Belarusian journalist has been arrested and detained – for publishing photographs of teddy bears. The bears were dropped over Belarus on 4 July by a Swedish advertising agency designed to promote free expression. The Belarusian government denies the flight.
Human rights situation worsened after Eurovision
In the aftermath of the Eurovision Song Contest, the Azerbaijani authorities have targeted critical journalists and activists.
Russia adopts law limiting Internet freedom
Russia’s Parliament has recently passed a number of new bills aiming to restrict freedom of action of civil society and to silence critical voices. Last week the Russian State Duma adopted a new law which limits freedom of information on the Internet.
Poet Carol Ann Duffy wins PEN Pinter Prize
English PEN has announced the winner of 2012 Pen Pinter Prize. The fourth recipient of the award poet Carol Ann Duffy is rewarded for outstanding contribution to literature and her commentary on contemporary events.
English PEN Summer Party 2012
English PEN will present the annual PEN Ackerley Prize for memoir.
What will Lord Justice Leveson conclude about the future of the British press?
It has been a year since the Prime Minister announced an inquiry examining the culture, practices and ethics of the media in light of the phone-hacking scandal.
Article 19: Rio+20 summit results in unambitious Outcome Document with positive elements
Article 19 was an active campaigner for making the right to free expression and information central to the Rio+20 earth summit declaration. However, the organisation criticises the outcome document “The Future We Want” as being unambitious and lacking in tangible commitments.
Journalists flee East African countries – region’s free expression deteriorates
Fifty-seven journalists fled their country in the past year, seven of them fled Somalia. Three other East and Horn African countries – Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Rwanda – also rank among the top 10. More than a quarter of those who fled their homes from June 2011 to May 2012 came from an East African nation, Committee to Protect Journalists reports.