Supreme Court strikes down S. 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 – Video

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Supreme Court strikes down S. 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000
In a landmark judgment delivered on March 24, 2015 the Supreme Court struck down section 66(a) of the IT Act holding that the same infringed on the rights of free speech protected by our Constituti...

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Supreme Court strikes down S. 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 - Video

Model_Omega presents: "The Politics of Canada," Episode Two: What the hell is free speech? – Video

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Model_Omega presents: "The Politics of Canada," Episode Two: What the hell is free speech?
You can find me and my other random ramblings here Twitter: https://twitter.com/Model_Omega Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRealModelOmega Links to important sites involved in this...

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Model_Omega presents: "The Politics of Canada," Episode Two: What the hell is free speech? - Video

Rahman holds up Rosmah as example of free speech

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Umno minister ignores Zunar harrassment, but cites Perkasa and Isma for 'high blood pressure'

KUALA LUMPUR: Ignoring police actions against cartoonist Zunar, an Umno minister has held up criticism of Rosmah Mansor, the prime ministers wife, as an example of how free speech was existent in Malaysia.

Speaking at a students conference today, Abdul Rahman Dahlan said: What (is it that) you want to talk about that you cant? You want to talk about government inefficiency, corruption, scandals? You can talk about almost anything in this country, Malaysiakini reported.

In this day and age, everyone can talk, he was quoted as saying. You can even talk about the wife of the prime minister, and Rosmah has not done anything to you (in retaliation).

However, Abdul Rahman, who is housing minister, did not mention the series of police actions and frequent harrassment of political cartoonist Zunar (Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque), who has been one of Rosmahs most prominent critics and whose cartoon books frequently focus on Rosmah and Najib, linking them to political scandals and financial mismanagement.

In January, police seized more than 150 copies of a cartoon collection in a raid on his offices. In earlier raids, police seized more than 500 copies of his books in an action that also included bookshop raids across the country. He has also been arrested under the Sedition Act. Early this month police seized copies of his latest cartoon collection while they were being delivered to the book launch.

While also ignoring other police actions against free speech, such as arrests of activists ordered by the Inspector-General of Police based on remarks made on Twitter, Abdul Rahman also made a sarcastic response to the statements of Malay and Islamist rights pressure groups Isma and Perkasa.

He said: I think I will have high blood pressure if I think about Perkasa and Isma all the time.

Abdul Rahman then praised the prime minister, Najib Razak, and advised the students at the conference: I always believe the person you should listen to and take heed of is the prime minister himself. Nothing else matters.

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Rahman holds up Rosmah as example of free speech

Gerakan: Does IGP really know the law?

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More pressing matters for police instead of clamping down on free speech, says Andy Yong.

KUALA LUMPUR: Gerakan Youth has questioned whether the Inspector-General of Police truly understands the law, while carrying out a crackdown on free speech and peaceful assembly, and criticised his misplaced priorities.

Andy Yong, deputy leader of the youth wing, said the IGP appeared to be defning seditious tendency according to his own wishes, Malaysiakini reported.

He said the security of the country, and illegal activities, were more pressing matters for the police rather than sedition as defined by the IGP and peaceful protests.

I urge the police to concentrate more on reducing crime instead of being perceived as being used as a political tool, he was quoted as saying.

Yong pointed out that the Peaceful Assembly Act provided every citizen the right to assemble, whether or not notice was given to the police.

Yong questioned the police forces intent in criminalising the right to assemble. Until there actually is a report of violence escalating during the rally, there is no need for the police to enforce the PAA, he was reported to have said.

Malaysia should emulate countries Hong Kong or Britain, where police were present to ensure public order and security.

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Gerakan: Does IGP really know the law?

[LONG CUT] Video Game Censorship and Freedom of Speech an Interview with Jon Festinger, Q.C. – Video

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[LONG CUT] Video Game Censorship and Freedom of Speech an Interview with Jon Festinger, Q.C.
In this video, Jon Festinger, Q.C. discusses Video Game Law, Censorship, Grand Prix Legends, and the importance of Freedom of Speech. Below is a short summary about Jon Festinger: Jon Festinger ...

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[LONG CUT] Video Game Censorship and Freedom of Speech an Interview with Jon Festinger, Q.C. - Video

New Today At Nine: What Should Be The Limits Of Freedom Of Speech? – Video

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New Today At Nine: What Should Be The Limits Of Freedom Of Speech?
In a landmark verdict, SC struck down Sec 66 (A) of the IT act. In this episode we discuss - Should there be any restriction on freedom of speech on the internet? News Today At Nine, hosted...

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New Today At Nine: What Should Be The Limits Of Freedom Of Speech? - Video

Teens targeted as Turkey cracks down on speech

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ISTANBUL - A high school student, a former beauty queen and a slew of Turkish journalists are among a growing number of people facing prison sentences for engaging in political dissent, part of what critics say is a widening government crackdown on freedom of speech.

In the last week alone, Turkish authorities questioned, detained or indicted more than a dozen people accused of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, which - along with berating other top government officials - is forbidden under Turkey's penal code.

While Turkish journalists who run afoul of the government line have long complained of political pressure and outright censorship, ordinary citizens - including teenagers - are increasingly facing harsh penalties and jail time.

"There's been a huge escalation in punishment for speech. The traditional modes of censorship that had been applied to Turkish journalists are now starting to be applied to social media users," said Nate Schenkkan, a Turkey expert at Freedom House, a non-profit group in Washington that seeks to encourage democracy. "President Erdo?an is visibly and clearly seeking to consolidate power under himself."

A key U.S. ally in a volatile region and NATO member, Turkey was until the past couple years held up as a model democracy in an unstable part of the world. But the latest restrictions have drawn rebuke from lawmakers in Washington. Citing intimidation of media and censorship of the press, 74 senators last week called on the State Department to take up the issue with the Erdo?an administration.

While the country is no longer known as the world's leading jailer of reporters, prosecutions remain an issue. The Turkish Journalists' Association this week reported government officials have filed more than 100 lawsuits against at least 60 reporters since 2013. On Tuesday, two cartoonists from the satirical magazine Penguen were convicted and fined $2,700 each for insulting Erdo?an in a caricature that made a reference to the difficult environment for journalists in the country.

Turkey's insult laws have been on the books for years, but analysts say they've been used more aggressively since Erdo?an became the country's first directly elected president in August after serving as prime minister for more than a decade.

Merve Buyuksarac, a model and 2006 Miss Turkey winner, faces up to two years in prison for sharing a poem on Instagram that prosecutors claim insults the president. The same fate could await a 16-year-old student, who is on trial for insulting Erdo?an during a student protest in the central Anatolian city of Konya. Last month, police questioned a 13-year-old boy over a Facebook post.

There are other signs of a clampdown on free speech. Last week the parliament approved new Internet controls that would allow cabinet members to block websites without a court order. More than 67,000 websites are already inaccessible in Turkey, including those of an atheist association and the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo. While last year's ban on Twitter was eventually overturned, the company received more content removal requests from Turkey than any other country.

Government officials insist they are simply upholding the rule of law. Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu defended Turkey's censorship record in January, saying that "freedom of expression does not mean freedom to insult."

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Teens targeted as Turkey cracks down on speech

Love Notes $150 in the swear jar

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Sections Local News Posted on March 26, 2015 by Maple Creek

By Marcia Love

In recent weeks, a lot has been said about freedom of speech. The heated debate regarding Taber, Albertas controversial new Community Standards Bylaw is the big one that comes to mind. The most interesting aspect of the bylaw to me is the part regarding swearing, which has ruffled many feathers. I find it interesting as someone who grew up in a household where foul language never crossed anyones lips. And I mean never. My dad could even control himself when dealing with stubborn cattle (Yeah, that says it all right there). So it bothers me when Im at a public function and even certain workplaces, where you would think people could at least try to show a little professionalism and certain individuals feel the need to speak their mind very colourfully and loudly, with no regard or respect for those around them. Some would argue they have the right to say what they want in a public forum even if it means screaming obscenities. I would argue I have a right not to hear or be forced to tolerate that type of behaviour. And so it is with the town of Taber, where opinions have been divided not only in the community itself, but across the country on whether or not the towns bylaw is fair and warranted. It does seem ridiculous to have a bylaw dictating what people can and cant say, mostly because people should know how to behave in a public place. But were not talking about someone who lets out a certain word when they trip on the sidewalk. From what I gather, were talking about the kind of people who can drop an F-bomb as a noun, verb and adjective in a sentence, loudly, in the middle of a family-friendly environment. And weve all been in that situation where were trying to carry on a conversation with someone at a reasonable volume in a public place while someone nearby has decided to be that guy. Its rude and obnoxious. You can call it archaic, but clearly the community has a serious problem if the town is looking into solutions like curfews and cracking down on graffiti. And what many may not realize is there are already several municipalities across Canada with similar bylaws on indecent behaviour in their books. Its a point of respect, and when individuals either havent been taught how to offer it or simply refuse to, youre left with little choice but to establish laws demanding them to. Is it going to mean people will clean up their act and language? Not likely. But its addressing a problem. And while Im sure there wont be too many $150 fines going into the swear jar as a result, at least law enforcement has the ability to do something should it be necessary. On the other side of the country, I was surprised to see the MP from my old riding of Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound in Ontario making national headlines last week for a comment he made regarding niqabs. Conservative MP Larry Miller was sharing his opinion on the Muslim veil being worn during citizenship oath ceremonies on a local radio station, saying, Frankly, if youre not willing to show your face in a ceremony that youre joining the best country in the world, then stay the (censored for the sake of the previous topic of this column) where you came from. Yet another example of freedom of speech. In this case, the controversy seems to lie more in the manner Miller voiced his opinion rather than what he actually said, because a number of Canadians have backed his comments on social media. Miller has since apologized, saying he recognized his remarks were inappropriate, but stood by his view that anyone being sworn in as a new citizen should uncover their face.

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Love Notes $150 in the swear jar

OSCE representative: No security without media freedom

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Source: Tanjug

BELGRADE -- There is no security without freedom of the media and expression, and there is no freedom of speech unless we live in a secure society, says Dunja Mijatovic.

Many countries are passing laws in an effort to react to security threats, but those restrictions curtail media freedom, the OSCE reprsentative on freedom of the media noted at the opening of the Strategic Communications in the Security Sector conference in Belgrade on Wednesday.

The media are sometimes unprofessional and do not check all facts, but this must not be an excuse for governments to impose pressure on them, she said, underlining that there is no excuse for violence against those who have a different opinion.

The answer to the question as to what is allowed in the name of security can be found in international documents, in the respect of the principles of democracy, freedom and human rights, Mijatovic said.

German Ambassador to Serbia Heinz Wilhelm said that freedom of the media was not limitless, and it was hard to define where the limits were.

It is not enough just to say that there is no excuse for violence, but rather an answer has to be found to the issue of limits, and what constitutes a verbal attack on states, people or their beliefs, Wilhelm added, addressing the event organized by the German Marshall Fund.

BELGRADE -- Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic has had a phone conversation "with Prime Minister of the interim administration in Pristina Isa Mustafa," Tanjug said.

BELGRADE -- Serbian Foreign Minister and OSCE chairman Ivica Dacic says Serbia is "firmly committed to protecting the safety of journalists and freedom of expression."

BELGRADE -- In the political sense, the establishment of a community of Serb municipalities in Kosovo is an obligation under the Brussels agreement, says Marko Djuric.

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OSCE representative: No security without media freedom

Phil Robertson gives graphic speech relating atheism to horrific violence

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(Photo: Facebook/Duck Dynasty)

Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson

"Duck Dynasty" star Phil Robertson delivered a strongly worded speech at the Vero Beach Prayer Breakfast last week, relating atheism to acts of violence.

The husband and grandfather's analogy communicated that any action could be considered morally sound if there is no God. His story may be disturbing to some due to its graphic nature.

"Two guys break into an atheist's home," he began, according to Right Wing Watch. "He has a little atheist wife and two little atheist daughters.

"Two guys break into his home and tie him up in a chair and gag him. And then they take his two daughters in front of him and rape both of them and then shoot 'em and they take his wife and decapitate her head off in front of him.

"And then they can look at him and say, 'Isn't it great that I don't have to worry about being judged? Isn't it great that there's nothing wrong with this? There's no right or wrong, now is it dude?'"

But Robertson's dark story didn't end there.

"Then you take a sharp knife and take his manhood and hold it in front of him and say, 'Wouldn't it be something if this was something wrong with this? But you're the one who says there is no God, there's no right, there's no wrong, so we're just having fun,'" he continued.

"'We're sick in the head, have a nice day.' If it happened to them, they probably would say, 'Something about this just ain't right.'"

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Phil Robertson gives graphic speech relating atheism to horrific violence