Free Speech Bites
Nigel Warburton spoke with Timothy Garton Ash for Index on Censorship's Free Speech Bites about the Free Speech Debate Project and global free speech standards.
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.
To tweet or not to tweet? That is the question
The UK’s Director of Public Prosecutions has released guidelines on when social media users should be prosecuted. But there are still not adequate guarantees for freedom of expression, writes Dominic Burbidge.
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.
Cyber-bullying that led to suicide
On 10 October 2012 the Canadian teenager Amanda Todd committed suicide after years of cyber-bullying and harassment. Judith Bruhn describes a shocking case.
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.
In the Philippines, be careful of what you retweet
A new cybercrime law in the Philippines would give unfettered powers to the state to monitor internet users, take down websites and imprison citizens writes Purple S. Romero
The Future of Free Speech
Human Rights activist Aryeh Neier speaks about the future of free speech.
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.
Why Rwanda and Libya need free speech – and media regulation.
Jerry Timmins describes a new report on media in two post-conflict societies, and argues that countries like Britain should do more to support them.
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.
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.
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.
Does a murderer have the right to be forgotten?
In 2008 two convicted murderers asked for their names to be removed from Wikipedia and other online media outlets, in accordance with German law. Does the individual’s right to be forgotten take priority over the public’s right to know?
Facebook’s over-zealous face tagging
Should Facebook automatically suggest who is in a photo? Sebastian Huempfer asks whether Facebook’s photo tagging software infringes the privacy of its users.
How Ushahidi maps the voices of those in need
Dominic Burbidge discusses how Ushahidi’s transformative crowdsourcing techniques have alleviated crises in Kenya and beyond.
What’s a nice UN Internet Governance Forum doing in a place like this?
The Oxford Internet Institute’s Ian Brown writes from Azerbaijan, asking whether a country that suppresses online freedom should be allowed to host a gathering devoted to discussing it.
Enabling internet access in Mexico
Aleph Molinari, founder of Fundación Proacceso ECO, speaks to Brian Pellot about why his Mexico-based non-profit organisation promotes information and communication technologies for development and why the internet should be considered a basic right.
A separate social network for Muslims
More than 1.3 million people apparently ‘like’ Islam on Facebook. Salamworld aims to provide Muslims a halal alternative. Dominic Burbidge explores its potential and pitfalls.
Can Google’s algorithm slander a politician’s wife?
Type 'Bettina Wulff', the name of a former German president’s wife, into Google and the autocomplete function will add 'escort'. Is this algorithmic addition a form of defamation? Sebastian Huempfer explores the case.
How WCIT could fix – not kill – the internet as we know it
FSD user and regular commenter Luke Landau, a telecommunications engineer, argues the International Telecommunications Regulations are long overdue for an update.
Caving to violent intimidation?
In response to our sixth draft principle and whether violent intimidation has caused him to self-censor criticism of the government, Mansoor says: "The only limits that I put to myself are the ethical limits...I believe free speech is the prerequisite for any development to happen in any place and any country, and I'm driven totally by my passion and my love to this country".
“We were denied justice”
While in prison and since his release, Mansoor has been the target of online death threats, defamation campaigns and physical attacks. He says the government has done little to address these assaults.
Still under surveillance
Mansoor says his laptop was attacked by "a very sophisticated version of malware apparently that the authorities in the region have been using against individuals, which allows authorities to gain illegal access to someone's emails and computer".
Government smear and presidential pardon
Mansoor was sentenced to three years in prison but released after just seven months when the president pardoned him and the other four activists. He says media reports on their imprisonment "enlightened people about the reality of the case, because inside the UAE the campaign was really [a] smear [campaign]".
Ahmed Mansoor on blogging his way into a UAE prison
One of the United Arab Emirate's most prominent human rights activists, Ahmed Mansoor was imprisoned in 2011 for criticising the country's leadership. Here he discusses the death threats, defamation campaigns and physical attacks he continues to face for speaking his mind.
Defending Islam and free speech
FSD's Katie Engelhart sat in on this Frontline Club debate to discuss controversy surrounding the YouTube video Innocence of Muslims.
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.
The topless duchess
Judith Bruhn explores the theory and practice of privacy in Europe and whether a court injunction was enough to salvage the Duchess of Cambridge's privacy.
Has Innocence of Muslims ended the innocence of YouTube?
Join us to debate the role internet platforms like YouTube should play in setting free speech agendas in your country, your language and across the world. Online editor Brian Pellot kicks off the discussion.
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 ITU’s murky transparency
In July the ITU Governing Council released one summary document of proposed ITR amendments. Dourado says this move did not represent real transparency.
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.
Amelia Andersdotter on ACTA’s demise and the internet’s future
The Swedish Pirate Party's outspoken MEP explains why the European Parliament overwhelmingly rejected the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement in July and discusses WCIT, the internet's next four-letter foe.
Orlando Figes and the anonymous poison pen
What exactly was wrong with a historian publishing caustic anonymous reviews of his competitors' books on Amazon? Katie Engelhart explores the issues raised by a tragic-comic case.
When an iPhone can be dangerous
The speed and ubiquity of mobile devices have changed the context of "hate speech" online, writes Peter Molnar.
Net both liberates and suppresses
Evgeny Morozov, author of The Net Delusion: the Dark Side of Internet Freedom, says that the internet has a liberating effect but has also boosted the power of governments to spy on citizens, spread propaganda and engage in cyberattacks.
Evgeny Morozov on the dark side of internet freedom
Author Evgeny Morozov highlights the dangers that sometimes emerge when governments and corporations harness the internet to serve their own objectives.
Chinese journalists test free speech limits
Former investigative journalist Haiyan Wang describes the ways in which Chinese reporters push the boundaries of press freedom. Interview by Judith Bruhn.
Online language bubbles: the last frontier?
Scott A Hale explores the effect of language in seeking and imparting information on the broader web.
Netherlands passes Europe’s first net neutrality legislation
Amendments approved by the senate of the Netherlands limit the ability of internet service providers to block or slow down applications and services on the internet, writes Graham Reynolds.
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.
Censoring The Scorpions
In 2008, six British ISPs blocked access to a Wikipedia page featuring an album cover with an image of a prepubescent naked girl, writes Maryam Omidi.
David Kirkpatrick talks Facebook
The author of The Facebook Effect talks to FSD about privacy, anonymity whether the social network plans to go into China.
Why should Amazon be our taste and decency police?
The online retailer has been criticised for profiting from ebooks featuring terror and violence. No one should tell us what to read, says Jo Glanville.
Tim Berners-Lee on ‘stretch friends’ & open data
"Stretch friends" - individuals who are outside of your social circle online - will help break down cultural barriers.
The knowledge commons: research and innovation in an unequal world
To mark the launch of the St Antony's International Review, a panel of experts discuss Ushahidi technology, academic journals in Latin America and the geographies of the world's knowledge.
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.
Moving towards the zettabyte era
According to a new report, annual global internet traffic will increase nearly fourfold between 2011 and 2016, moving us into the zettabyte era, writes Maryam Omidi.
Africa: media and free speech
"People in Africa don't have the freedom to speak freely and hold governments accountable," says Nqobile Sibisi of Highway Africa's Future Journalists Programme.
Eric Schmidt & The Serendipity Engine
Google's executive chairman believes online connectivity benefits everyone; social psychologist Aleks Krotoski tries to introduce a little more serendipity into the equation, writes Maryam Omidi.
Jillian York on hacktivism
The director of international freedom of expression at the Electronic Frontier Foundation talks about the ethics and motivations of hacktivism.
On Free Speech: The power of the web
This latest episode looks at the ethics of hacktivism, crowdsourcing in war zones and the right of Christians in the UK to wear the cross at work.
Keeping the internet open
Punishing internet intermediaries for their content will have a chilling effect on free speech, says Kevin Bankston of the Centre for Democracy and Technology.
Does ACTA threaten online freedom of expression & privacy?
An academic, an NGO worker, a Member of European Parliament and an activist go head-to-head on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement.
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
Is China actually helping free media in Africa?
China may provide censorship tools to autocratic regimes in Africa, but western companies still dominate this market, writes Iginio Gagliardone, a post-doctoral fellow at Oxford University.
Vikipedi makalelerinin dağılımı
The distribution of knowledge on Wikipedia shows vast geographical inequalities, according to research from the Oxford Internet Institute.
Punishing users of extremist websites
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has proposed a law to punish readers of websites promoting terrorism and violence, writes Clementine de Montjoye.
Mapping edits to Wikipedia from Africa
Egypt made more edits to Wikipedia than any other African country between 2010 and 2011, according to new research.
A student’s racist tweets
Liam Stacey, a 21-year-old student, was sentenced to 56 days in prison for posting racially offensive comments on Twitter, writes Maryam Omidi.
Tunisian Internet Agency defends net neutrality
Online censorship is futile as it can almost always be circumvented, says Moez Chakchouk, the head of the Tunisian Internet Agency.
On free speech: The fine art of activism
The third episode of the On Free Speech podcast features exclusive interviews with filmmaker Nick Sturdee on the Russian art collective Voina and stand-up comedian Tom Greeves on the UK's parody laws.
UK law to extend cyber snooping powers
The proposed law contradicts the ruling coalition's pledge to end the retention of internet and email data without good reason, writes Ian Brown.
Wadah Khanfar on how the Arab Spring transformed journalism
The former head of Al Jazeera denies allegations that the network was in any way partisan under his watch, a criticism frequently levelled at the broadcaster, which is funded by the emir of Qatar.
Facebook, privacy and you
Lord Allan of Facebook and author Viktor Mayer-Schönberger wrangle over the social networking site's real name policy, its claim to transparency and its use of personal data.
Hungary’s new media regulation
In 2010, the Hungarian prime minister passed a series of laws, giving excessive control over all private media to the government, writes Peter Bajomi-Lazar, a senior research fellow at the University of Oxford.
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.
Rebecca MacKinnon: Consent of the Networked
The co-founder of Global Voices discusses the nexus between governments, internet companies and citizens.
The enemies of the internet
Belarus and Bahrain are the latest additions to the Reporters Without Borders’ “Enemies of the Internet” 2012 list while France and Australia are "under surveillance".
On Free Speech: China, India & the art of “Zuckering”
The second episode of FSD's monthly podcast looks at free speech in India, internet censorship in China and Facebook's attitude towards privacy.
Paolo Mancini on media polarisation
The professor of political science says that while new technologies offer opportunities, they also lead to political and social polarisation.
The Berlin Twitter Wall v the Great Firewall of China
In 2009, the Chinese authorities blocked access to the Berlin Twitter Wall from within China following a flood of tweets calling for an end to internet censorship, writes Judith Bruhn.
The trial of Naguib Sawiris
Naguib Sawiris was accused of contempt for tweeting an image of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, respectively sporting a bushy beard and veil, writes Jacob Amis
A Saudi blogger’s “blasphemous” tweets
As of August 2012, Saudi Arabian writer Hamza Kashgari faced a trial for allegedly insulting the Prophet Muhammad on Twitter, writes Brian Pellot.
YouTube in Turkey
YouTube was banned for three years in Turkey on the grounds that certain videos were insulting to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the modern republic's founder, or to "Turkishness", write Funda Ustek and Irem Kok.
Why we need a right to be forgotten
The right to be forgotten should give us greater control over the data we post about ourselves online, writes Sebastian Huempfer.
Tim Wu on the right to be forgotten
The author of the Master Switch says that while the right to be forgotten is a good idea in theory, the reality is that it may hamper entrepreneurship in Europe.
On Free Speech: Deletion and Denialism
The first of Free Speech Debate's monthly podcasts, featuring selected highlights from the site.
The Grass Mud Horse Lexicon
The Grass Mud Horse Lexicon, a catalogue of subversive online witticisms in China, is an example of the unflagging creativity of the human spirit, writes Amy Qin.
Tim Wu on Twitter, Facebook & net neutrality
The author of The Master Switch: The Rise and Fall of Information Empires tells us why Facebook should not go into China and why Twitter's new take-down policy may harm the microblog.
Sebastian Nerz on ACTA
The chairman of the German Pirate Party talks about ACTA, the right to be forgotten and privacy in Germany.
Ian Brown on internet freedom
In part one of this interview with Timothy Garton Ash, Ian Brown of the Oxford Internet Institute talks about the internet and freedom of expression, net neutrality, internet service providers and censorship by both democratic and autocratic governments.
Free Speech Debate launch with Jimmy Wales
For those of you who missed it first time round, here's Timothy Garton Ash, director of Free Speech Debate, speaking to the Wikipedia co-founder, a day after the encyclopedia's English pages were blacked out in protest against two anti-piracy bills in the US. They talk about SOPA and PIPA, the controversial Muhammad cartoons and Wikipedia's decision to go dark.
Richard Stallman on free software
The founder of the free software movement talks about internet giants Google and Facebook, Creative Commons and internet freedom.
Ezra Levant: public powers are the real threat to internet freedom
Private powers are not a "large threat" to free speech, the Canadian lawyer and publisher tells Katie Engelhart.
Criticism of the Thai king
US blogger Joe Gordon was sentenced to two and a half years in a Thai prison for publishing links on his blog to an unauthorised biography of Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej. A case study by Maryam Omidi.
Han Han, the Chinese blogger
With a readership of over 300 million, Han Han is one of China's most influential online personalities. Judith Bruhn looks at his blog as an example of an individual citizen creating more open and diverse media in difficult circumstances.
