Discussions
Patriot Act and FISA without end?
How the Obama administration continues use of Bush-era powers to suppress legitimate debate about the needs of US national security. By Jeff Howard.
Khaled Fahmy on free speech in Egypt (Arabic)
The professor of history at the American University in Cairo talks to FSD about the Egyptian military.
Khaled Fahmy on free speech in Egypt (English)
The right to information is essential to democracy, says Khaled Fahmy, professor and chair of the history department at the American University in Cairo.
Case studies
History reclassified as state secret: the case of Xu Zerong
In 2002, historian Xu Zerong was sentenced to 13 years in jail for leaking state secrets. The classification of the leaked materials as "top secret" came only after he had been sentenced, writes Timothy Garton Ash.
Turkish journalists: Şık and Şener
In March 2011, two prominent investigative journalists were arrested in Turkey because of their alleged ties to a terrorist organisation. Ahmet Şık and Nedim Şener faced 15 years' imprisonment if they were convicted, write Funda Ustek and Irem Kok.
Julian Assange: a journalist?
In 2010, Wikileaks released its first tranche of classified US state department cables. If Julian Assange, founder of the whistle-blowing website, qualifies as a journalist then he would be protected under the first amendment, writes Katie Engelhart.
The Israeli whistleblower
Israeli whistleblower Anat Kamm leaked 2,000 classified military documents obtained during her service with the Israeli Defence Force. Maryam Omidi discusses the claims of national security versus public interest.
South Africa’s secrecy bill
In November 2011, South Africa’s lower house approved the protection of state information bill – legislation, which if passed can sentence those found guilty to up to 25 years' imprisonment, writes Maryam Omidi.
