freedom of expression News

Though Pope Francis has condemned the terrorist attack on French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, which killed twelve innocent people, he has erred terribly by insisting "one cannot make fun of faith." Words do not justify hitting.

Paris - A horrific terrorist attack has occurred in Paris. Twelve innocent people were slain by black-clad gunmen at the offices of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in what appears to be a highly-organized assault. Will free speech stand strong?

Toronto - The purely symbolic motion was introduced to show Ontario will never go the way of Quebec and ban the wearing of religious symbols by government employees.

Banjul - Critics are claiming an amendment to a Gambian Internet law will stifle free expression in the tiny West African dictatorship.

Lisbon - Portugal's Attorney General has opened an investigation after celebrated author, Miguel Sousa Tavares, called Portugal’s head of state, President Silva, a clown in an interview. The author’s remarks could see him facing a three year jail term.

Phnom Penh - Cambodia's record on human rights and freedom of expression is being freshly displayed as on March 5 a court began hearing an appeal of a journalist's conviction for “instigating an insurrection” regarding a land conflict in a Cambodian village.

Under the banner ‘We fight censorship’ journalists’ campaigning organisation Reporters sans Frontières last week launched a website which will carry content that has been censored, banned or which has given rise to reprisals against its author.

A devout Christian who expressed opposition to legalising gay marriage on his Facebook page has won a court case brought for breach of contract against his employers after losing his post as a housing manager and being forced to take a 40% pay cut.

Kent Police arrested a man last night after an image of a burning poppy was posted on a social media site. In a press release, Kent Police said the man had been arrested on suspicion of "malicious telecommunications".

British actor and comedian, Rowan Atkinson has given his full support to a newly launched campaign aimed at reforming the UK’s controversial insults law. The campaign relates to Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986.

Paris - Today, "Charlie Hebdo" published cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed. Its website is unavailable and riot police have been deployed. Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and it is under attack.

Imagine an alternative universe, one which has the diametric opposite of the Oscars. In that universe, the makers of the "Innocence of Muslims" would steal the show and walk away with all the awards.

Toronto - PEN Canada, a national organisation of writers, has announced a new initiative to counter “efforts by different levels of government to curb, control, obfuscate, and sometimes even suspend the basic rights of Canadians”.

Toronto - Rogers Communications, a Canadian media corporation, thinks its right to freedom of expression is more important than its responsibility to provide truth in advertising.

I am writing this in response to the question “Are there limits to the right to freedom of expression? Explain your answer and, if your answer is yes, define the limits.” This essay is meant to generate discussion so please share your thoughts.

Louisiana - The International Press Institute (IPI) has asked a Louisiana sheriff to respond "with the utmost seriousness" to the use, by his deputies, of a reporter's photograph for their target practice.

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) has finally closed down an art exhibit that features supposedly blasphemous images of Jesus Christ amid protests from art exhibitors who claim the exhibit was part of their freedom of expression.

Is Pastor Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center in Florida really guilty of the deaths in Afghanistan caused by rioting over the Koran-burning issue?