Academic

Global Free Speech Update

By firstamendmentblogger

Lawmakers in the Philippines are debating a 'right of reply' bill, though one of the bill's original sponsors recently withdrew his support.  Deputy Majority Leader Juan Edgardo Angara said that media groups already extend a right of reply as a practical matter, and opined that editorial functions should remain a "privately exercised" prerogative.

Activists in Botswana are calling for a "free and independent press," and urging lawmakers to loosen restrictions on reporting activities.  One major point of criticism is the country's Media Practitioner's Act which includes a 'right of reply' provision and a registration requirement for journalists.   

In Yemen, the High Judicial Council announced plans to establish a special court to try cases related to media and publishing offenses.  Yemeni journalist Abdel Karim al-Khaiwani, called the court a "huge step backward" and "flagrant violation of the Constitution and international law."

The European Union declared internet access a "fundamental right" on par with freedom of expression and passed a measure requiring member states to obtain a court order before terminating a user's access.  But the Senate in France passed a rule of its own promising to cut internet access for up to a year the third time someone is accused of illegally sharing copyrighted material.  Accused is the key word here, as guilt is apparently not required to trigger a suspension.  And there's no procedure for appeal.     

-Kathleen A. Bergin

Full post as published by The Faculty Lounge on May 15, 2009 (boomark / email).