Category Archives: Free Speech

Complete News - #39;US Treasury and NSA involved in bans of free speech against Iran #39;
http://www.youtube.com/CompleteNews365 Complete News Plz Subscrib for Latest News Press TV has conducted an interview with Scott Rickard, former American int...

By: CompleteNews365

Originally posted here:
Complete News - 'US Treasury and NSA involved in bans of free speech against Iran' - Video

A Statement from the Asian Human Rights Commission

BANGLADESH: Oppression of free speech must end

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is concerned about the continued and arbitrary detention of Mr. Adilur Rahman Khan Secretary of Odhikar. The AHRC has learned that the government has introduced new allegations against Mr. Nasiruddin Elan, the Director of Odhikar, in an attempt to detain Elan as well, so as to absolutely cripple the functioning of the organisation.

Condemning the arbitrary arrest and detention of Adilur, the AHRC, along with other human rights organisations across the world, has issued statements calling upon the Government of Bangladesh not to stifle whistle-blowers and to abstain from misusing law and procedure to circumscribe free opinion and the freedom of professionals in the country. The AHRC has also issued an Urgent Appeal concerning Adilur's arrest.

It is reported that on 5 September 2013, the police filed a First Information Report and case diary at the Metropolitan Magistrate's Court requesting the Court to frame charges against Adilur and Elan. It is reported that the allegation is that Adilur and Elan have 'direct and active involvement in the preparation, publication and dissemination of a report' concerning the murder of civilians in Bangladesh by the government and the members of the ruling political coalition. The case against Adilur and Elan is reportedly registered for offences punishable under Section 57 of the Information and Communication Technology Act, 2006. The police also allege that Adilur and Elan, as persons responsible for the functioning of Odhikar, have published false images and information that has the potential to disrupt law and order in the country.

The Metropolitan Magistrate is expected to accept the allegation and issue an arrest warrant against Elan. If the past is any indicator, it is most likely that the Magistrate will comply with the police request, in which case Elan could be arrested anytime.

The government, state-sponsored media, and representatives of the ruling political alliance have spared no opportunity in portraying Adilur's arrest and the crackdown upon Odhikar as a legitimate state action against an organisation that has published questionable information. The mainstream debate in Bangladesh arising out of Adilur's arrest has also so far focused on the correctness of the information provided in Odhikar's report. The fact, however, is that the state and the state media is only using the publication of the report as an excuse to smother the day-to-day functioning of a globally reputed human rights organisation.

Odhikar is one of those organisations in Bangladesh that has consistently taken up positions against governments, irrespective of their political architecture, whenever governments in Bangladesh have abused authority and the process of law to violate the human rights of the people. The arrest and detention of Adilur and the repressive state actions against Odhikar, including a search and recovery at its office, and the seizure of documents in electronic and print form, are mere government gestures of telling Odhikar, other independent human rights groups, and the media, that no one in Bangladesh will be allowed to report matters the government does not wish to be spoken about.

The prevailing culture of authoritarianism entertained by the government, supported by armed state forces and the police, which enjoys impunity in the country, is a central challenge against establishment of better human rights conditions in Bangladesh. In this administrative landscape, where constitutional guarantees are narrowed to mere political and financial influences, the absence of a strong and independent organ of the state like the judiciary has caused serious deficit to human rights guarantees. The space available for independent administration of justice based on the principle of the rule of law has suffered the worst in Bangladesh in the past few years. Odhikar is the latest victim.

The AHRC condemns the state action and calls upon the Government of Bangladesh to immediately put an end to its repressive tactics. The AHRC requests the government to repeal all the charges against Odhikar and its representatives. If at all the government has concerns about the facts and circumstances that led to the 5 May 2013 violence in Bangladesh, they must be answered by an independent investigation and adjudication process that enquires into the incident and not by asphyxiating those who dare speak against state-sponsored oppression.

Link:
BANGLADESH: Oppression of free speech must end

NSA Using Copyright To Silence Free Speech
The NSA is suing someone for copyright infringement for making a parody of their seal on T-Shirts, but is this just a politicized witch hunt against dissent? And why is a branch of government...

By: TheLipTV

Go here to see the original:
NSA Using Copyright To Silence Free Speech - Video

EUGENE, Ore. Just days after the county board voted to close the Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza, demonstrators have a new designated option when it comes to practicing their first amendment rights.

On Friday, the county told KEZI 9 News it had crews out spray painting an area off Sixth Avenue, which is now the new Free Speech Plaza.

Its actually where the old county annex building used to be. Earlier Friday there was no one out there demonstrating. There were also no signs up, saying it was an area for free speech.

The Free Speech Plaza is expected to be closed until at least Tuesday night.

A county spokesperson says theyve accepted a bid to clean the Free Speech Plaza and around the county building. Its for $9,000, bringing the total cleaning bill to $21,500. Thats for both the county building and Butterfly lot across the street.

The cleaning is directly linked to a weeks-long protest at the plaza and the mounting health concerns.

The county says campers were going to the bathroom in and around the county building.

KEZI 9 News went to some of the demonstrators who are currently at the old federal courthouse and asked them about the bill. They called it ridiculous.

We did have someone sweeping the plazaUnderstand why it cost so much though, said Angie Bartow, SLEEPS Demonstrator.

The county says camping wont be allowed at the interim free speech site. However, there were no signs up when we were there saying it was off limits.

Go here to read the rest:
New Free Speech Plaza Area Opens

Jacob Appelbaum - War On The Internet and Free Speech
Jacob Appelbaum speaking out on the current war on the Internet and Free Speech.

By: EducateKnowledge

Continue reading here:
Jacob Appelbaum - War On The Internet and Free Speech - Video

Hate speech vs. free speech
One person #39;s free speech is another person #39;s hate speech. Is hate speech allowed to enjoy free speech? An article appearing in The Dallas Morning News reprin...

By: PropagandaBuster

Read the original:
Hate speech vs. free speech - Video

EUGENE, Ore. The Lane County Board of Commissioners voted to close Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza Wednesday, effective immediately.

This comes after protesters with the group SLEEPS set up tents at the plaza to protest the lack of housing for the homeless.

The protesters moved out after the Boards meeting.

Health concerns were among the biggest issues for the Board. The closure enables crews to clean up the area. But protesters say theyve cleaned up their act.

What Ive invited people to do is come see, says demonstrator Angie Bartow. Even to the county commissioners, I would ask that they would come in and see whats going on, not just kind of take everyone elses word for it.

Lane Countys public health officer did tour the site recently and declared it a public health risk. Police reports also reveal that the area has recently seen a 20-percent increase in serious crime, including drug overdoses and sex abuse.

The last time the county cleared out the plaza was when it was sued and the judge ultimately ruled in favor of the protesters. Thats why, this time around, the county is making sure that this is a public process. Commissioners say theyll also look at updating the county code with details on how the Free Speech Plaza can be used. The Board will take up the issue at another meeting in a couple of weeks.

Read this article:
Protesters Leave Free Speech Plaza

A federal appeals-court ruling has found that a Washington State University professor who circulated a controversial proposal to revamp the schools communications department was protected by the First Amendment.

A lawyer for the American Association of University Professors, which supported the former WSU professor in a brief, called it a significant ruling protecting the academic freedom of professors at public institutions.

Aaron Nisenson, senior counsel for AAUP, said the degree of free-speech protection afforded to university professors was thrown in doubt by a 2006 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Garcetti v. Ceballos, which restricted the free speech of public employees.

The question in the courts has been, When is speech considered academic speech, that is protected? Nisenson said. This was a significant case in that it further clarified when that speech is protected.

The case involves David Demers, a former WSU communications professor, who distributed a two-page pamphlet in 2007 that outlined a plan to improve WSUs Edward R. Murrow School of Communication. At the time, the future of the school was being debated.

Later, Demers who now teaches at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University sued WSU in U.S. District Court, claiming administrators retaliated against him, in part by giving him negative performance reviews.

The district court said that Demers writings were distributed as part of his official duties and therefore were not protected under the First Amendment. That decision drew on the 2006 Supreme Court ruling which held that public employees acting or speaking in their official capacity were not protected by the First Amendment, Nisenson said.

Demers appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which on Wednesday reversed some parts of the ruling.

In a statement he distributed by email, Demers called it a great victory for those who cherish academic freedom, free-speech ideals and shared governance.

Demers said professors should have the freedom to criticize administrators and their policies, and said the decision bolsters the idea that free-speech protection for professors extends beyond their academic research programs and the classroom. It covers our service role, too.

The rest is here:
Court rules for free speech in former WSU professor’s lawsuit

Tariq Ramadan, Doha Debate Education pointless without free speech 3 4

By: Tariq Ramadan

The rest is here:
Tariq Ramadan, Doha Debate Education pointless without free speech 3 4 - Video

Citizens Ban Free Speech
Stay in the know - Follow Alex on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RealAlexJones #39;Like #39; Alex on FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/AlexanderEme... http://www.in...

By: Alex M.

The rest is here:
Citizens Ban Free Speech - Video