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The internet does not guarantee polarised news, argues Richard Fletcher. Free speech debates are more than ‘radicals’ vs ‘liberals’ Eric Heinze argues that the radicals and liberal grounds for free speech are not mutually exclusive. Wikipedia at 15: The sum of human knowledge? Martin Poulter, Wikimedian in residence at Oxford University, considers the active encyclopedia’s first 15 years. Hyperreality beats free speech in Turkey Kerem Öktem describes the dramatic deterioration of Turkey’s media landscape after the attempted coup of July 2016. Noam Chomsky: Does America have uncensored, diverse, and trustworthy media? Noam Chomsky talks about Edward Snowden, laws regulating historical memory, no-platforming, internet echo chambers and the lack of diversity in the American media. From another spectrum: the net neutrality debate in India Nikhil Pandhi discusses the debate about net neutrality in India. A Turkish newspaper is shut down, condolences accepted Ezgi Basaran cries out at the forced end of Radikal, the Turkish newspaper she used to edit. Citizens United: how the US Supreme Court struck down limits on corporate electioneering on the grounds of free speech Max Harris analyses the case and the applicability of US First Amendment rights to corporations. Chicago university’s free speech policy Timothy Garton Ash introduces the report of a committee on freedom of expression at the University of Chicago ‘No-platforming’ on university campuses: political correctness and the subversion of free speech Monica Richter argues that no-platforming is more about censoring unpalatable views than protecting marginalised groups. Don’t ban no-platforming Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh argues that no-platforming is an expressive act that can expand the field of debate, rather than the denial of free speech. Ten arguments for – and against – ‘no-platforming’ Eric Heinze sets out the flaws in the commonly heard arguments for no-platforming. Clueless in Gaza: Western media and the Arab-Israeli conflict John Lloyd explores the history and weakness of Western media coverage, and suggests one way it could be improved. Salman Rushdie: What have been the most important changes to free speech in the last 25 years? 25 years after the fatwa and the fall of the Berlin Wall, Salman Rushdie discusses with Timothy Garton Ash whether there is now more or less freedom of expression in Europe, worrying developments in India and his critical view of Edward Snowden. Should the LSE’s Atheist, Secularist and Humanist Society have asked people to cover up people wearing religious t-shirts? At the London School of Economics Students’s Union Freshers’ Fair members of the Atheist, Secularist and Humanist Student Society were asked to cover up their T-shirts displaying a Jesus and Mo cartoon. This panel discussion discusses the freedom to offend and how to balance freedom of expression and civility. Vote for Hong Kong – on the streets and online In 2014, the citizens of Hong Kong staged an unofficial civil referendum in protest against the Beijing authorities’ attempts to undermine its independence. As Rebecca Wong reports, the majority of the votes were cast via a voting app on mobile phones. Egypt: the show is over Bassem Youssef and the Egyptian struggle for freedom of speech. How an attempt at ‘libel tourism’ rebounded on a Tanzanian tycoon A British citizen blogged about a Tanzanian media magnate involved in throwing her and her husband off their Tanzanian farm. He sued for libel in a British court. Dominic Burbidge explains. The world through the eyes of Russian state television Robert Coalson looks at how Russian television depicts everything from the crisis in Ukraine to the war in Syria. The long struggle to bury speech crimes in the English-speaking world Anthony Lester and Zoe McCallum look at how the ghost of the English Court of the Star Chamber has been used to suppress free speech. Hong Kong: two systems, one country? Samson Yuen and Kitty Ho argue that the stabbing of a former Hong Kong news editor is a symptom of a broader squeeze on the city’s freedoms. Homage to Catalan Timothy Garton Ash introduces a translation of our ten principles into Catalan and a reflection on having Catalan as your native language. Our draft principles and introduction in Catalan Our draft principles, and Timothy Garton Ash’s personal introduction, have been translated into Catalan. The importance of speaking Catalan Pere Vilanova reflects on his personal experience of learning his ‘native’ tongue – as a third language. Germans are not especially concerned about privacy and sovereignty Nazi past? Stasi past? Sebastian Huempfer challenges the conventional explanations for Germany’s strong reaction to Edward Snowden’s revelations about NSA snooping. Who is threatening free speech in post-revolutionary Tunisia? Middle East specialist Rory McCarthy examines the role of Islamist movement Ennahdha in shaping, and constraining, freedom of speech in Tunisia after the Arab Spring. Thou shall not leak: Thomas Fingar on why leaking classified information is unnecessary and dangerous Thomas Fingar, 2013 winner of the Sam Adams Awards for Integrity in Intelligence, argues that leaking classified information from within the intelligence services is unnecessary and dangerous. Why the US needs more open debate about its failures on race Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington must be the beginning of the discussion of race, not the end. Bassam Gergi discusses why the depoliticisation of race in the US is problematic and only open debate can lead to progress. Is Facebook just the new chamber of commerce and Twitter the new telegraph? Political theorist Rob Reich discusses what adaptations we need as freedom of speech and association move increasingly from the offline to the online world. Can the old principles still apply in new circumstances? Why ramp up internet surveillance in Nigeria? The Nigerian government is rumoured to have sealed a $40m dollar contract for internet surveillance technology. There is no clear justification for this “secret” deal, and no assurance that the technology would be used fairly, given Nigeria’s lack of established rights for citizen privacy. By Nwachukwu Egbunike and Dominic Burbidge. Twitter, free speech, and sexism – an #outcry from Germany Sarah Glatte explores the potential and pitfalls of social media in combating sexism. A whistleblower’s argument Edward Snowden was not the first NSA official to sound the alarm. Thomas Drake, winner of the Sam Adams Award for Integrity in Intelligence, makes his case to Free Speech Debate. Martha Nussbaum: How can we best approach the challenge of religious difference? Legal philosopher Martha Nussbaum gave the 2013 Dahrendorf Lecture, exploring how to live with religious diversity. When to be silent is to speak Stephen Meili examines the contrasting UK and US treatment of people who refuse to declare a political allegiance. 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. When and where should extremists be allowed to march? Protests held by far right groups in ethnically diverse areas are provocation, but banning them can have undesired effects. Josh Black looks at a ban on the English Defence League in East London. The bizarre story of how lippy librarians faced down a silly publisher A university librarian faced a lawsuit over a critical blog post about the publishing house Edwin Mellen Press but online solidarity won out. By Dominic Burbidge. Is privacy getting lost in Google’s “cracks and crevices”? A globally-effective privacy regime is a realistic goal, argues Ian Brown. But it needs giants like Google to get behind it. Jesus Christ Superstar? Not in Rostov, Russia The Russian parliament’s vote in support of a declaration against acts offending religious sentiments is symptomatic of worrying trends, write Olga Shvarova and Dominic Burbidge. 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. When does hate speech become dangerous speech? Consider Kenya and Rwanda The forthcoming trial of Kenyan broadcaster Joshua Arap Sang poses vital questions about the connections between words and violence, argues Katherine Bruce-Lockhart. The three George Orwells and the three Burmas Timothy Garton Ash delivers the Orwell Lecture at an unprecedented literary festival in Rangoon. He talks about three Orwells and three Burmas. A Turkish journalist’s censored plea for press freedom Kerem Oktem introduces our translation of a column by Hasan Cemal, which his newspaper, Milliyet, refused to print. 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. Is the European Court of Human Rights merely defending the uncontroversial? A famous case of state censorship in Austria highlights the tendency of governments to pander to the majority, leaving controversial views unprotected. By Michele Finck. 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. Is Myanmar sliding back into censorship? For all its talk of press freedom, the Burmese government has produced a surprise new bill containing oppressive provisions and undermining the press council it created. Ellen Wiles reports. How has the internet changed the relationship between the writer and the state? The relationship between writers and the state is complex, multifaceted and changing. At the Jaipur Literature Festival 2013 a panel of experts explores some of the issues faced by writers around the world. Has the Strasbourg court allowed too much for local taboos? At the European Court of Human Rights, the case of I.A. against Turkey in 2005 acted as a controversial precedent for limiting Article 10’s definition of freedom of expression in the name of religion, explains Michele Finck. China’s public expression philosophy: a case of too little theory? The Chinese government’s stance towards the question of free speech is guided by a philosophy that is complex but intelligent. Rogier Creemers diagnoses the underlying causes. “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. Is the ‘hands-off’ internet different to internet freedom? 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. “Speakers’ Corner” What should it mean today? Peter Bradley describes a British initiative promoting free expression, public debate and active citizenship. Free speech as seen by a believer in an Abrahamic religion Islam, Christianity and Judaism are often accused of wanting to restrict free speech. Dominic Burbidge suggests a radically different perspective, from inside the thought-system of the Abrahamic faiths. The Southern Weekly affair: No closer to the Chinese dream? 2013 began dramatically in China with a standoff between journalists and state propaganda authorities over a drastically rewritten New Year editorial. Timothy Garton Ash introduces English translations of the original and finally published versions. Can the treatment of animals be compared to Nazi concentration camps? Not in Germany, said the German courts. And the European Court of Human Rights agreed. The practice of freedom Burma’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi stresses the importance of free speech but emphasises the Buddhist idea of “right speech”. The Nira Radia tapes controversy and the right to privacy Should government-initiated phone hacking be made public if the recordings are in the public interest? Shubhangi Bhadada exposes the thin line in India between the right to privacy and freedom of expression. Is self-regulation of the media in India sufficient? 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: How has investigative journalism in India changed in the last 20 years? Indian journalist and writer Tarun Tejpal speaks about development and corruption in India, and the role of investigative journalism. 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. 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. Two years on, is it still spring in Tunisia? On 17 December 2010, Tunisian street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi set fire to himself – and began the Arab spring. Despite Islamist pressures on free speech and women’s rights, Rory McCarthy sees continued cause for hope. 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. Former British agent, Annie Machon: What is 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. 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. “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. What is it like to be charged with libel for cybercrime 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. What are the best ways to facilitate internet usage 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. Brazil confronts Google – and it’s personal A top Google executive was arrested in Brazil when the company refused to remove YouTube videos that made accusations against a local mayoral candidate. Felipe Correa discusses the case. The silenced sex? Women’s voices in US election coverage A new report shows only 12% of US election coverage on the abortion debate quotes women. Judith Bruhn explores why this under-representation of women’s voices is undermining women’s freedom of speech. 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. Eli Dourado: Why is anonymity important in ensuring transparency in international telecommunications? The WCITLeaks.org co-founder discusses how anonymous uploads to his website are shedding light on the upcoming World Conference on International Telecommunications. Egypt’s one-way traffic in books Historian Khaled Fahmy describes how historic Egyptian books are more easily found in Western than in Egyptian libraries – and how a scholarly history of the Middle East was recently banned from entering Egypt. Katalin Barsony on empowering Roma with technology Romedia Foundation aims to disseminate an insider’s view of Romani issues, empower Romani activists and challenge stereotypes through new media. How ‘brown envelope journalism’ holds back sub-Saharan Africa Dominic Burbidge explores the corrupt links between political elites and mainstream media that suffocate genuine democratic debate in Africa. Should journalists need a diploma? Brazil’s Supreme Court renewed a law that requires journalists to hold a university degree in journalism. A currently discussed Amendment to the Constitution could further restrict the country’s media writes Felipe Correa. Evgeny Morozov: What is 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. Pussy Riot, Putin’s Russia and the Orthodox Church Was punk band Pussy Riot’s anti-Putin performance in a Moscow church ‘religious hatred hooliganism’ or an artistic form of political dissent? Olga Shvarova considers the case. Online language bubbles: the last frontier? Scott A Hale explores the effect of language in seeking and imparting information on the broader web. Guilt by association: the London 2012 Olympics The drive to control all references to the Olympic Games is part of a global creep of intellectual property law that has led to a “right of association”, writes Teresa Scassa. The Japanese New History Textbook controversy A history textbook underplaying Japanese imperialism caused controversy domestically and internationally, write Ayako Komine and Naoko Hosokawa. The case of the Russian ‘spy’ Igor Sutyagin, the Russian nuclear researcher sentenced to 15 years for espionage, found himself at the centre of a spy-swap deal in 2010, writes Olga Shvarova. The importance of Braille literacy In 2010, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind almost closed its library because of funding issues. Yet some argue that those who can’t read Braille are akin to illiterates, writes Katie Engelhart. 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. 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: Are stretch-friends the future of the internet? Tim Berners-Lee argues that stretch friends, individuals who are outside of your social circle online, will help break down cultural barriers What not to wear Maryam Omidi takes a look at banned clothing around the world – and concludes that women tend to be the target of dogmatic dress codes. 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. Free speech in an unfair world Free Speech Debate’s 10 draft principles benefit those in positions of privilege and power, writes Sebastian Huempfer. 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. Do anti-abortion protestors have free speech? 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. 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. 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. How should publishers respond to protests for and against the publication of the same essay? In 2011, three Indian scholars called on OUP India to re-publish an essay which had been denounced by Hindu extremists. Less than two weeks later, the publisher reversed its earlier decision not to re-publish. 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. 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. The vital presence of the past History is a sensitive issue in China with some of it desperately remembered and some, deliberately forgotten, writes Judith Bruhn. 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. Open government in Chongqing? Environmental information is tightly controlled in China despite the existence of access to information regulations, writes Sam Geall. 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. ACTA: Open agreement secretly arrived at? The secretive approach adopted by parties in negotiating the controversial Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement constrained the ability of the public to challenge limits on free expression, writes Graham Reynolds. Free speech in Turkey & the world – part one In the first past of this debate, research fellow Kerem Öktem argues that an individual’s understanding of free speech is shaped by their personal history and geography. Hasan Cemal: Freedom of expression in Turkey From communism to Kurdish separatism, the Turkish state has used a series of pretexts to deny freedom of expression to its citizens, says journalist Hasan Cemal. Moez Chakchouk: Can the Tunisian Internet Agency defend net neutrality? Online censorship is futile as it can almost always be circumvented, says Moez Chakchouk, the head of the Tunisian Internet Agency. 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. The harm of hate speech Jeremy Waldron, professor of social and political theory at Oxford University, argues the case for legislation against hate speech Rede Globo & the 1989 Brazilian election Beyond Citizen Kane, a documentary on the 1989 Brazilian election, argues that broadcaster Rede Globo manipulated the montage in favour of one of the two remaining candidates, writes Felipe Correa. How Turkish taboos perpetuate immaturity Professor Ayşe Kadıoğlu of Sabancı University speaks of her experience growing up in Turkey where taboos, many imposed by law, have trapped citizens “in a state of immaturity”. 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. 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. Ezra Levant: Why 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. Does money have the right to speak? The US supreme court’s decision on Citizens United raises a vital issue: should corporations have the same free speech rights as individuals? Brian Pellot discusses the case. When doing nothing is free expression In 2011, the Belarusian police arrested scores of people at a silent protest in Minsk. Annabelle Chapman looks at the case. Real names vs pseudonyms Are Google+ and Facebook right to ban pseudonyms? Voice your opinion here. 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. Courage and solidarity Exceptional individuals have risked and sometimes given their lives for free expression. Name them here. The human microphone The Occupy Wall Street movement adopted “the human microphone” in response to its lack of a permit for the use of amplified sound on public property in New York City. The human microphone embodies the pluralistic nature of the movement itself and serves to enhance its message, writes Casey Selwyn. 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. 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. Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi: Should insults to religious beliefs be criminalised? The Iranian lawyer and Nobel peace prize winner talks to Free Speech Debate about freedom of expression in Iran and whether insults to religious and non-religious beliefs should be criminalised.
Don’t blame news polarisation on the internet…it’s not the technology, stupid! The internet does not guarantee polarised news, argues Richard Fletcher.
Free speech debates are more than ‘radicals’ vs ‘liberals’ Eric Heinze argues that the radicals and liberal grounds for free speech are not mutually exclusive.
Wikipedia at 15: The sum of human knowledge? Martin Poulter, Wikimedian in residence at Oxford University, considers the active encyclopedia’s first 15 years.
Hyperreality beats free speech in Turkey Kerem Öktem describes the dramatic deterioration of Turkey’s media landscape after the attempted coup of July 2016.
Noam Chomsky: Does America have uncensored, diverse, and trustworthy media? Noam Chomsky talks about Edward Snowden, laws regulating historical memory, no-platforming, internet echo chambers and the lack of diversity in the American media.
From another spectrum: the net neutrality debate in India Nikhil Pandhi discusses the debate about net neutrality in India.
A Turkish newspaper is shut down, condolences accepted Ezgi Basaran cries out at the forced end of Radikal, the Turkish newspaper she used to edit.
Citizens United: how the US Supreme Court struck down limits on corporate electioneering on the grounds of free speech Max Harris analyses the case and the applicability of US First Amendment rights to corporations.
Chicago university’s free speech policy Timothy Garton Ash introduces the report of a committee on freedom of expression at the University of Chicago
‘No-platforming’ on university campuses: political correctness and the subversion of free speech Monica Richter argues that no-platforming is more about censoring unpalatable views than protecting marginalised groups.
Don’t ban no-platforming Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh argues that no-platforming is an expressive act that can expand the field of debate, rather than the denial of free speech.
Ten arguments for – and against – ‘no-platforming’ Eric Heinze sets out the flaws in the commonly heard arguments for no-platforming.
Clueless in Gaza: Western media and the Arab-Israeli conflict John Lloyd explores the history and weakness of Western media coverage, and suggests one way it could be improved.
Salman Rushdie: What have been the most important changes to free speech in the last 25 years? 25 years after the fatwa and the fall of the Berlin Wall, Salman Rushdie discusses with Timothy Garton Ash whether there is now more or less freedom of expression in Europe, worrying developments in India and his critical view of Edward Snowden.
Should the LSE’s Atheist, Secularist and Humanist Society have asked people to cover up people wearing religious t-shirts? At the London School of Economics Students’s Union Freshers’ Fair members of the Atheist, Secularist and Humanist Student Society were asked to cover up their T-shirts displaying a Jesus and Mo cartoon. This panel discussion discusses the freedom to offend and how to balance freedom of expression and civility.
Vote for Hong Kong – on the streets and online In 2014, the citizens of Hong Kong staged an unofficial civil referendum in protest against the Beijing authorities’ attempts to undermine its independence. As Rebecca Wong reports, the majority of the votes were cast via a voting app on mobile phones.
How an attempt at ‘libel tourism’ rebounded on a Tanzanian tycoon A British citizen blogged about a Tanzanian media magnate involved in throwing her and her husband off their Tanzanian farm. He sued for libel in a British court. Dominic Burbidge explains.
The world through the eyes of Russian state television Robert Coalson looks at how Russian television depicts everything from the crisis in Ukraine to the war in Syria.
The long struggle to bury speech crimes in the English-speaking world Anthony Lester and Zoe McCallum look at how the ghost of the English Court of the Star Chamber has been used to suppress free speech.
Hong Kong: two systems, one country? Samson Yuen and Kitty Ho argue that the stabbing of a former Hong Kong news editor is a symptom of a broader squeeze on the city’s freedoms.
Homage to Catalan Timothy Garton Ash introduces a translation of our ten principles into Catalan and a reflection on having Catalan as your native language.
Our draft principles and introduction in Catalan Our draft principles, and Timothy Garton Ash’s personal introduction, have been translated into Catalan.
The importance of speaking Catalan Pere Vilanova reflects on his personal experience of learning his ‘native’ tongue – as a third language.
Germans are not especially concerned about privacy and sovereignty Nazi past? Stasi past? Sebastian Huempfer challenges the conventional explanations for Germany’s strong reaction to Edward Snowden’s revelations about NSA snooping.
Who is threatening free speech in post-revolutionary Tunisia? Middle East specialist Rory McCarthy examines the role of Islamist movement Ennahdha in shaping, and constraining, freedom of speech in Tunisia after the Arab Spring.
Thou shall not leak: Thomas Fingar on why leaking classified information is unnecessary and dangerous Thomas Fingar, 2013 winner of the Sam Adams Awards for Integrity in Intelligence, argues that leaking classified information from within the intelligence services is unnecessary and dangerous.
Why the US needs more open debate about its failures on race Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington must be the beginning of the discussion of race, not the end. Bassam Gergi discusses why the depoliticisation of race in the US is problematic and only open debate can lead to progress.
Is Facebook just the new chamber of commerce and Twitter the new telegraph? Political theorist Rob Reich discusses what adaptations we need as freedom of speech and association move increasingly from the offline to the online world. Can the old principles still apply in new circumstances?
Why ramp up internet surveillance in Nigeria? The Nigerian government is rumoured to have sealed a $40m dollar contract for internet surveillance technology. There is no clear justification for this “secret” deal, and no assurance that the technology would be used fairly, given Nigeria’s lack of established rights for citizen privacy. By Nwachukwu Egbunike and Dominic Burbidge.
Twitter, free speech, and sexism – an #outcry from Germany Sarah Glatte explores the potential and pitfalls of social media in combating sexism.
A whistleblower’s argument Edward Snowden was not the first NSA official to sound the alarm. Thomas Drake, winner of the Sam Adams Award for Integrity in Intelligence, makes his case to Free Speech Debate.
Martha Nussbaum: How can we best approach the challenge of religious difference? Legal philosopher Martha Nussbaum gave the 2013 Dahrendorf Lecture, exploring how to live with religious diversity.
When to be silent is to speak Stephen Meili examines the contrasting UK and US treatment of people who refuse to declare a political allegiance.
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.
When and where should extremists be allowed to march? Protests held by far right groups in ethnically diverse areas are provocation, but banning them can have undesired effects. Josh Black looks at a ban on the English Defence League in East London.
The bizarre story of how lippy librarians faced down a silly publisher A university librarian faced a lawsuit over a critical blog post about the publishing house Edwin Mellen Press but online solidarity won out. By Dominic Burbidge.
Is privacy getting lost in Google’s “cracks and crevices”? A globally-effective privacy regime is a realistic goal, argues Ian Brown. But it needs giants like Google to get behind it.
Jesus Christ Superstar? Not in Rostov, Russia The Russian parliament’s vote in support of a declaration against acts offending religious sentiments is symptomatic of worrying trends, write Olga Shvarova and Dominic Burbidge.
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.
When does hate speech become dangerous speech? Consider Kenya and Rwanda The forthcoming trial of Kenyan broadcaster Joshua Arap Sang poses vital questions about the connections between words and violence, argues Katherine Bruce-Lockhart.
The three George Orwells and the three Burmas Timothy Garton Ash delivers the Orwell Lecture at an unprecedented literary festival in Rangoon. He talks about three Orwells and three Burmas.
A Turkish journalist’s censored plea for press freedom Kerem Oktem introduces our translation of a column by Hasan Cemal, which his newspaper, Milliyet, refused to print.
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.
Is the European Court of Human Rights merely defending the uncontroversial? A famous case of state censorship in Austria highlights the tendency of governments to pander to the majority, leaving controversial views unprotected. By Michele Finck.
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.
Is Myanmar sliding back into censorship? For all its talk of press freedom, the Burmese government has produced a surprise new bill containing oppressive provisions and undermining the press council it created. Ellen Wiles reports.
How has the internet changed the relationship between the writer and the state? The relationship between writers and the state is complex, multifaceted and changing. At the Jaipur Literature Festival 2013 a panel of experts explores some of the issues faced by writers around the world.
Has the Strasbourg court allowed too much for local taboos? At the European Court of Human Rights, the case of I.A. against Turkey in 2005 acted as a controversial precedent for limiting Article 10’s definition of freedom of expression in the name of religion, explains Michele Finck.
China’s public expression philosophy: a case of too little theory? The Chinese government’s stance towards the question of free speech is guided by a philosophy that is complex but intelligent. Rogier Creemers diagnoses the underlying causes.
“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.
Is the ‘hands-off’ internet different to internet freedom? 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.
“Speakers’ Corner” What should it mean today? Peter Bradley describes a British initiative promoting free expression, public debate and active citizenship.
Free speech as seen by a believer in an Abrahamic religion Islam, Christianity and Judaism are often accused of wanting to restrict free speech. Dominic Burbidge suggests a radically different perspective, from inside the thought-system of the Abrahamic faiths.
The Southern Weekly affair: No closer to the Chinese dream? 2013 began dramatically in China with a standoff between journalists and state propaganda authorities over a drastically rewritten New Year editorial. Timothy Garton Ash introduces English translations of the original and finally published versions.
Can the treatment of animals be compared to Nazi concentration camps? Not in Germany, said the German courts. And the European Court of Human Rights agreed.
The practice of freedom Burma’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi stresses the importance of free speech but emphasises the Buddhist idea of “right speech”.
The Nira Radia tapes controversy and the right to privacy Should government-initiated phone hacking be made public if the recordings are in the public interest? Shubhangi Bhadada exposes the thin line in India between the right to privacy and freedom of expression.
Is self-regulation of the media in India sufficient? 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: How has investigative journalism in India changed in the last 20 years? Indian journalist and writer Tarun Tejpal speaks about development and corruption in India, and the role of investigative journalism.
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.
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.
Two years on, is it still spring in Tunisia? On 17 December 2010, Tunisian street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi set fire to himself – and began the Arab spring. Despite Islamist pressures on free speech and women’s rights, Rory McCarthy sees continued cause for hope.
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.
Former British agent, Annie Machon: What is 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.
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.
“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.
What is it like to be charged with libel for cybercrime 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.
What are the best ways to facilitate internet usage 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.
Brazil confronts Google – and it’s personal A top Google executive was arrested in Brazil when the company refused to remove YouTube videos that made accusations against a local mayoral candidate. Felipe Correa discusses the case.
The silenced sex? Women’s voices in US election coverage A new report shows only 12% of US election coverage on the abortion debate quotes women. Judith Bruhn explores why this under-representation of women’s voices is undermining women’s freedom of speech.
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.
Eli Dourado: Why is anonymity important in ensuring transparency in international telecommunications? The WCITLeaks.org co-founder discusses how anonymous uploads to his website are shedding light on the upcoming World Conference on International Telecommunications.
Egypt’s one-way traffic in books Historian Khaled Fahmy describes how historic Egyptian books are more easily found in Western than in Egyptian libraries – and how a scholarly history of the Middle East was recently banned from entering Egypt.
Katalin Barsony on empowering Roma with technology Romedia Foundation aims to disseminate an insider’s view of Romani issues, empower Romani activists and challenge stereotypes through new media.
How ‘brown envelope journalism’ holds back sub-Saharan Africa Dominic Burbidge explores the corrupt links between political elites and mainstream media that suffocate genuine democratic debate in Africa.
Should journalists need a diploma? Brazil’s Supreme Court renewed a law that requires journalists to hold a university degree in journalism. A currently discussed Amendment to the Constitution could further restrict the country’s media writes Felipe Correa.
Evgeny Morozov: What is 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.
Pussy Riot, Putin’s Russia and the Orthodox Church Was punk band Pussy Riot’s anti-Putin performance in a Moscow church ‘religious hatred hooliganism’ or an artistic form of political dissent? Olga Shvarova considers the case.
Online language bubbles: the last frontier? Scott A Hale explores the effect of language in seeking and imparting information on the broader web.
Guilt by association: the London 2012 Olympics The drive to control all references to the Olympic Games is part of a global creep of intellectual property law that has led to a “right of association”, writes Teresa Scassa.
The Japanese New History Textbook controversy A history textbook underplaying Japanese imperialism caused controversy domestically and internationally, write Ayako Komine and Naoko Hosokawa.
The case of the Russian ‘spy’ Igor Sutyagin, the Russian nuclear researcher sentenced to 15 years for espionage, found himself at the centre of a spy-swap deal in 2010, writes Olga Shvarova.
The importance of Braille literacy In 2010, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind almost closed its library because of funding issues. Yet some argue that those who can’t read Braille are akin to illiterates, writes Katie Engelhart.
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.
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: Are stretch-friends the future of the internet? Tim Berners-Lee argues that stretch friends, individuals who are outside of your social circle online, will help break down cultural barriers
What not to wear Maryam Omidi takes a look at banned clothing around the world – and concludes that women tend to be the target of dogmatic dress codes.
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.
Free speech in an unfair world Free Speech Debate’s 10 draft principles benefit those in positions of privilege and power, writes Sebastian Huempfer.
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.
Do anti-abortion protestors have free speech? 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.
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.
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.
How should publishers respond to protests for and against the publication of the same essay? In 2011, three Indian scholars called on OUP India to re-publish an essay which had been denounced by Hindu extremists. Less than two weeks later, the publisher reversed its earlier decision not to re-publish.
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.
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.
The vital presence of the past History is a sensitive issue in China with some of it desperately remembered and some, deliberately forgotten, writes Judith Bruhn.
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.
Open government in Chongqing? Environmental information is tightly controlled in China despite the existence of access to information regulations, writes Sam Geall.
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.
ACTA: Open agreement secretly arrived at? The secretive approach adopted by parties in negotiating the controversial Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement constrained the ability of the public to challenge limits on free expression, writes Graham Reynolds.
Free speech in Turkey & the world – part one In the first past of this debate, research fellow Kerem Öktem argues that an individual’s understanding of free speech is shaped by their personal history and geography.
Hasan Cemal: Freedom of expression in Turkey From communism to Kurdish separatism, the Turkish state has used a series of pretexts to deny freedom of expression to its citizens, says journalist Hasan Cemal.
Moez Chakchouk: Can the Tunisian Internet Agency defend net neutrality? Online censorship is futile as it can almost always be circumvented, says Moez Chakchouk, the head of the Tunisian Internet Agency.
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.
The harm of hate speech Jeremy Waldron, professor of social and political theory at Oxford University, argues the case for legislation against hate speech
Rede Globo & the 1989 Brazilian election Beyond Citizen Kane, a documentary on the 1989 Brazilian election, argues that broadcaster Rede Globo manipulated the montage in favour of one of the two remaining candidates, writes Felipe Correa.
How Turkish taboos perpetuate immaturity Professor Ayşe Kadıoğlu of Sabancı University speaks of her experience growing up in Turkey where taboos, many imposed by law, have trapped citizens “in a state of immaturity”.
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.
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.
Ezra Levant: Why 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.
Does money have the right to speak? The US supreme court’s decision on Citizens United raises a vital issue: should corporations have the same free speech rights as individuals? Brian Pellot discusses the case.
When doing nothing is free expression In 2011, the Belarusian police arrested scores of people at a silent protest in Minsk. Annabelle Chapman looks at the case.
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.
Courage and solidarity Exceptional individuals have risked and sometimes given their lives for free expression. Name them here.
The human microphone The Occupy Wall Street movement adopted “the human microphone” in response to its lack of a permit for the use of amplified sound on public property in New York City. The human microphone embodies the pluralistic nature of the movement itself and serves to enhance its message, writes Casey Selwyn.
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.
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.
Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi: Should insults to religious beliefs be criminalised? The Iranian lawyer and Nobel peace prize winner talks to Free Speech Debate about freedom of expression in Iran and whether insults to religious and non-religious beliefs should be criminalised.