Indian YouTuber Dhruv Rathee has accused the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of blocking a viral satirical video under the Information Technology Act, raising fresh debate over online freedom of expression in India. Read More: Dhruv Rathee slams privileged’ neutrality after viral Oscar clip Rathee claimed in a social media post that his reel, which […]
freedom of speech
British tech campaigner challenges US visa sanctions over disinformation work
WASHINGTON: British tech campaigner Imran Ahmed has criticised recent US visa restrictions as a form of “punishment”, saying the move targets his organisation’s work against online disinformation and undermines freedom of speech. Mr Ahmed, who heads the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), said the decision amounted to retaliation for advocacy aimed at holding major […]
Teenagers challenge Australia’s under-16 social media ban
SYDNEY – A constitutional challenge has been filed against Australia’s social media ban for children under 16, just two weeks before the world-first law comes into effect. The Digital Freedom Project launched proceedings in the High Court of Australia, with two 15-year-olds, Noah Jones and Macy Neyland, named as plaintiffs. Read More: Punjab govt bans use of social […]
SJC’s new code limits judges’ public speech to safeguard impartiality
ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) has amended the code of conduct for Supreme Court and high court judges, introducing new restrictions on their freedom of speech and public engagement. The SJC, which derives its authority from Article 211(8) of the Constitution, stated that the amendments are intended to preserve judicial integrity and public […]
LHC announces ‘historic’ verdict on freedom of speech
In a historic decision, the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday ordered that the case against a citizen who had expressed his viewpoint on social media under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) be dismissed. The 16-page decision, penned down by Justice Tariq Salim Sheikh, which is being termed a judicial precedent, begins with […]
President for inspiration from Nelson Mandela’s vision to strengthen democratic norms, freedom of speech
ISLAMABAD: President Dr. Arif Alvi on Monday urged the nation for a renewed pledge to strengthen democratic norms of civility, democratic decision-making and freedom of speech while taking inspiration from Nelson Mandela’s vision. The president, in his message on Nelson Mandela International Day annually observed on July 18, paid tributes to the great […]
Indian govt afraid of me, my words: Rana Ayyub
ISLAMABAD: Award-winning Indian journalist, Rana Ayyub, has said that she was proud of the fact that the Indian government was scared of her and her words. According to Kashmir Media Service, addressing International Journalism Festival in Perugia, a city in Italy, on-topic titled ‘When the State Attacks: Journalism Under attack in World’s Biggest Democracy’ Rana […]
Freedom of speech and unknown assailants
Pakistan became a place where it is common to attack journalists to suppress their voice. Last couple of months proved that Pakistan is a dangerous country for journalists. In Pakistan journalists have continued to face cruel attacks especially over the past few years. State is reluctant to protect the fundamental right of freedom of expression […]
‘Nobody is safe’ in Belarus, says independent media heiress behind Tut.by
TEL AVIV: The heiress to Belarus’ largest independent news outlet, Evgeniya Chernyavskaya, says her country’s widening crackdown on media and opposition has imperiled freedom of speech and threatened lives. “Nobody is safe now in Belarus especially journalists,” says the heiress to Tut.by, the news outlet whose survival is now fragile, after members of its team […]
Government crackdown on media stifles freedom of speech
Crackdown on the print and electronic media in Pakistan started with the judiciary putting a media ban on Altaf Hussain, the founder of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement. After Altaf Hussain, the judiciary banned reporting speeches of the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter, Maryam Nawaz before Elections 2018, a well-planned action taken to […]