The difference between genocide and crimes against humanity
We regularly highlight comments that have made an impression on us. Antoon de Baets left an insightful response to Josie Appleton's discussion of memory laws in France.
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 ‘Brandenburg test’ for incitement to violence
In 1969, the U.S. Supreme Court made history by ruling that, to merit conviction, the violence advocated must be intended, likely and imminent. By Jeff Howard.
Taming the gods: religion and politics
At the 2013 Jaipur Festival, Ian Buruma, Reza Aslan, Ahdaf Souief and Timothy Garton Ash, in conversation with Shoma Chaudhury, talk about the relationship between religion and politics and how to deal with religious threats to free speech.
“If you rattle a snake…” The Kenyan government bites its media
In 2006 the Kenyan police violently raided the offices and printing press of the Standard Group media organisation. What was the government afraid of seeing reported? Dominic Burbidge explores a revealing case.
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.
William Dalrymple on the Jaipur Literature Festival
The historian and writer explains the reasoning behind author Salman Rushdie's no-show at the 2012 Jaipur Literary Festival.
Prashant Bhushan on a Kashmiri referendum
If the territorial dispute over Kashmir is not addressed through open debate, it may become "another Afghanistan", says the Indian supreme court lawyer.
Arundhati Roy on national security & the Indian media
The award-winning Indian novelist and activist speaks to Manav Bhushan about the limits to free speech in India, including government censorship through the media and "goon squads".
War is not cricket!
An Indian and a Pakistani student at Oxford reflect on how their countries covered the same story in their own ways. By Zahra Shah and Debanshu Mukherjee.
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.
Does freedom of expression give us a right to show videos of animals being crushed?
In 2010 president Barack Obama signed a law banning videos that depict animal cruelty. Judith Bruhn explores whether this is a justified restriction to freedom of expression.
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.
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.
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.
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.
When an iPhone can be dangerous
The speed and ubiquity of mobile devices have changed the context of "hate speech" online, writes Peter Molnar.
Jytte Klausen on Yale University and the Danish cartoons
Professor Jytte Klausen analyses and criticises Yale University Press's decision to remove images of Muhammad from her scholarly book on the Danish cartoons controversy.
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.
Freedom of speech for anti-abortion protesters?
A pro-life campaigner and a pro-choice activist go head-to-head in this debate about the rise of US-style anti-abortion protests outside clinics in the UK.
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.
RapeLay: a virtual rape game
A Japanese video game that involved raping women was banned three years after its creation following an international outcry by women's groups, writes Judith Bruhn.
Broadcasting a massacre
In March 2012, self-proclaimed jihadist Mohammed Merah strapped a camera to his chest before killing seven people in France. Al-Jazeera TV channel opted not to show the footage, writes Jeff Howard.
The harms of hate speech legislation
Hate speech legislation chills freedom of expression more than it protects vulnerable minorities. Free speech lawyer Ivan Hare takes issue with Jeremy Waldron.
The harm of hate speech
Jeremy Waldron, professor of social and political theory at Oxford University, argues the case for legislation against hate speech
Unpacking hate speech
A trio of human rights experts elaborate on the definition of dangerous speech and consider how hate speech is protected both in Europe and under the first amendment in the US.
Does Salman Rushdie exist?
"The one thing not at issue in the Jaipur controversy was some theologically motivated attack on the freedom of expression," writes historian Faisal Devji.
The Jaipur Literature Festival
Author Salman Rushdie cancelled his appearance at the Jaipur Literature Festival after being informed that "paid assassins from the Mumbai underworld" were out to kill him, writes Manav Bhushan
Islam between free speech and hate speech
The execution of apostates should be annulled but insulting religion should be recognised as a crime, writes Iranian cleric Mohsen Kadivar.
Death of a journalist in Pakistan
Pakistani journalist Saleem Shahzad was found dead after publishing an article on the links between al-Qaida and Pakistan's military, writes Ayyaz Mallick.
Blasphemy law and violence in Pakistan
In 2009, Aasia Bibi, a Christian Pakistani woman was accused of blasphemy. The governor who called for a review of her case was killed two years later, writes Ayyaz Mallick.
Threats of violence stifle free speech in India
For some, Valentine's Day means chocolate and roses. For a group of Indian writers it has become an opportunity to reclaim freedom of expression in India.
