The Copyright Alert System: coming to a home near you?
The question of how best to respond to the unauthorised dissemination of copyright-protected expression over the internet has long troubled copyright owners. But the proposed solution of a Copyright Alert could potentially erode free speech, writes Graham Reynolds.
Freedom for history? The case against memory laws
Josie Appleton talks to Pierre Nora and Olivier Salvatori of the Liberté pour l’Histoire initiative in France.
Mustn’t ask, mustn’t tell
Data protection laws now touch everyone’s lives and those living within the EU are about to have their regulations updated, writes David Erdos. These proposed laws are overly restrictive: the time has come to take a stand for those working in research.
Scholarly publication in (slow) transition to open access
Academic ‘open access’ journals make articles freely available and the dissemination of knowledge and citation easier. However, the pace of change is slow, writes Cristobal Cobo.
Seen from India: is freedom of expression under threat in the digital age?
At the invitation of Index of Censorship and the Editors Guild of India, Timothy Garton Ash joins Kirsty Hughes at a panel discussion in Delhi with Shri Ajit Balakrishnan, Shri Sunil Abraham and Ramajit Singh Chima.
“Speakers’ Corner” Bugun ne anlama gelmeli?
Peter Bradley describes a British initiative promoting free expression, public debate and active citizenship.
Open Access Academic Journals: Go for Gold?
The world of academic publishing stands at a crossroads with public institutions demanding open access to publicly funded research. Dominic Burbidge explores the difficulties that stand in the way.
A right to lie about government?
In the landmark case of New York Times v Sullivan, in 1964, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that criticism of public officials must be protected, even if some of the claims were inaccurate. Jeff Howard explains.
Does India need its Leveson?
India has its own fierce debate about media regulation. Arghya Sengupta discusses how the shadow of the 1970s “Emergency” hangs over proposed steps from failed self-regulation to statutory regulation.
In India, too, people say self-regulation of the media is not enough.
In a panel John Lloyd, T.R. Andhyarujina, Harish Salve and Daya Thussu discussed whether self-regulation can continue to remain a viable way forward for the Indian media.
Tarun Tejpal on investigative journalism and corruption in India
Indian journalist and writer Tarun Tejpal speaks about development and corruption in India, and the role of investigative journalism.
The Future of Free Speech
Aryeh Neier, human rights lawyer and president emeritus of the Open Society Foundations speaks about the future of free speech.
A sticky WCIT and the battle for control of the internet
At the World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT), authoritarian governments staked worrying claims. But the US-dominated model of non-governmental internet governance brings its own problems, writes Alison Powell. Beware of the Clinton Paradox.
Brazil’s online crossroads between authoritarianism and democracy
Despite Brazil’s democratic accomplishments, laws used to regulate websites date from the 1960s, giving arbitrary power to the state. A proposed ‘Marco Civil da Internet’ has the capacity to change this, writes Marcos Todeschini.
Free but not able?
Literacy is the fundamental building block for any society of free speech, evidenced not just in grand statistics but in the lives of those most in need. Dominic Burbidge reports.
Cookies
Our web developer, Simon Dickson, explains the cookies in FSD’s kitchen.
Why Wikileaks has revolutionised the world for whistleblowers
Former MI5 agent Annie Machon speaks about how the internet has made things easier and safer for whistleblowers.
MI5 should increase oversight
Former MI5 agent Annie Machon speaks about how the intelligence services need to increase internal oversight.
When is it justified to break the Official Secrets Act?
Former MI5 agent Annie Machon speaks about when it is in her opinion justified and necessary to break the Official Secrets Act
Why governments can crush Wikileaks but not the idea behind it
While Wikileaks may be closed down, the idea and technology is in the world now.
A former British agent makes the case for whistleblowing.
Former British MI5 agent Annie Machon revealed, together with David Shayler, alleged criminal behaviour within the agency. In an interview with Sebastian Huempfer she speaks about the need for official channels through which whistleblowers can voice their concerns.
“You are the problem, not the solution”
We regularly highlight comments that have made an impression on us. Today’s comment comes from our user Howard Hill who is challenging the validity of the idea of the project.
Libel and cybercrime laws in the Philippines
Filippino journalist Marites Vitug speaks about her experience being charged with libel for her investigative journalism, freedom of the press in the Philippines and the new cybercrime law.
Licensed leafleting means lost liberties in Britain
Josie Appleton explains how a 2005 law that permits local councils to restrict the distribution of leaflets in public spaces is hurting free speech and community life in Britain.
A university of less-than-liberal arts?
Should Yale University refuse to operate in Singapore where human rights and free expression face significant restrictions? Katie Engelhart weighs the arguments for and against.
Yahoo, free speech and anonymity in China
In 2002 Wang Xiaoning was sent to prison for 10 years after Yahoo passed on personal information Chinese authorities used to identify him. Judith Bruhn explores a case of conflicting laws and moral expectations.
Zambia’s secret Freedom of Information bill
If a decade of stalled attempts to enact Zambia's Freedom of Information bill seems comical, there is underlying tragedy in how politicians have fallen short of their free speech rhetoric, writes Dominic Burbidge.
Why the Arab world needs community radio
Social media and satellite television played a crucial role in the Arab uprisings, but Daoud Kuttab argues community radio must be embraced to effect positive change in the region.
What’s WCIT and why WCITLeaks?
Eli Dourado provides an overview of what WCIT is and what's at stake. He co-founded WCITLeaks to bring transparency to the ITU's proceedings.
The politics of transparency
Dourado suspects only the most egregious proposals have been uploaded to WCITLeaks for fear that a mass upload could bring diplomatic backlash.
Eli Dourado on WCITLeaks’ moral approach to transparency
The WCITLeaks.org co-founder discusses how anonymous uploads to his website are shedding light on the upcoming World Conference on International Telecommunications.
India’s textbook cartoon affair
In May 2012, India's parliament withdrew a series of school textbooks that contained a political cartoon some MPs considered denigrating. Antoon De Baets discusses whether reputation, rights and public morals should ever trump educational free speech.
How open access to scientific journals can help the developing world
Open access publishing models are having a significant impact on the dissemination on scientific information but their impact on the developing world is uncertain, writes Jorge L Contreras.
China’s human flesh search engines
While China's human flesh search engines can help reveal government corruption they can also be used to humiliate ordinary citizens, writes Judith Bruhn.
Storyful: verifying citizen journalism
Malachy Browne, news editor at Storyful, explains how the social media news agency validates news content sourced from the real-time web.
Improving media ethics in Turkey
A grassroots organisation set up by journalists attempts to create positive change in Turkish media, writes Yonca Poyraz Doğan, a correspondent at Today's Zaman.
Fighting for free speech in an unjust world
A society in which free speech marginalises, rather than empowers, vulnerable citizens is a society in which our moral vision of universal free speech has not actually been achieved, writes Jeff Howard.
Is it time for a global conversation on free speech?
A panel of experts joins FSD Director Timothy Garton Ash at London's Frontline Club to discuss some of the world's most pressing free speech issues.
Ukraine: a raiders’ state
Ukrainian cultural journals have become the target of "raiders" – shady groups working on behalf of powerful interests who use bogus property claims to close down businesses, says Mykola Riabchuk.
A day in the life of a climate scientist
A senior advisor to German Chancellor Angela Merkel says it is only a matter of time before a climate scientist is killed, writes Maryam Omidi.
Did Tamiflu work? How can we know if we can’t find out?
Medical science frequently favours commercial interests over free speech, writes Deborah Cohen of the BMJ.
The tension between data protection & freedom of expression
EU member states should reform the data protection framework to address the realities of life in the Web 2.0 age, writes David Erdos
Open government in Chongqing?
Environmental information is tightly controlled in China despite the existence of access to information regulations, writes Sam Geall.
Media ethics & the Anders Behring Breivik trial
Killer Anders Behring Breivik's testimony should be broadcast live to deter extremism, argues Anne Ardem, executive editor at Norwegian state broadcaster NRK.
Journalists do not have a divine right to invade privacy
Leading free speech expert Eric Barendt defends a British parliamentary report on privacy against criticisms by campaigning journalist John Kampfner.
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.
The principles should affirm the public’s right to information held by public bodies
Sandra Coliver, senior legal officer at the Open Society Justice Initiative, says the right to information is essential for freedom of expression.
Article 19: freedom of expression anchored in international law
Jeff Howard explains what it means for a state to be a party to the ICCPR and how individuals can issue complaints about violations of free speech to the United Nations Human Rights Committee.
