Stories about Law from January, 2010
Africa: When in trouble, say you are a British journalist
When in trouble in Africa, just say, “I am a British journalist.”
Philippines: Blogger charged with libel
A Filipino blogger was charged with a libel suit by the secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development after writing about the ‘rotting’ relief goods in a government warehouse. This is the first time a public official has sued a blogger in the Philippines.
Vietnam: Long prison terms for ‘democracy activists’
Four ‘democracy activists’ in Vietnam were sentenced to long prison terms for subversion. The four dissidents are advocating social change through non-violent means.
Hungary: The Invisible Marsh
Marietta Le reports on the story of one of Hungary's most successful citizen campaigns, whose goal is to save an endangered marsh by preventing an allegedly illegal expansion of a shopping center.
Timor Police Brutality Video
Police brutality in Timor-Leste is not new, but getting it on video is. This is something of a “Rodney King” moment for Timor-Leste and its police service.
Tunisia: And They Censored Arabicca!
Tunisian blogger Fatma Arabicca, who was arrested two months ago, decided to resume blogging last week. With only one post on her new blog, authorities swooped in to block it. Tunisian bloggers react to the ban and to the censorship of other blogs as well.
Israel: Activists and bloggers protest against deterioration of human rights
As activists are rounded up and arrested on the ground, Israeli bloggers and Twitter users turn to the Internet to fully employ alternative media platforms to influence public opinion and public opinion and struggle for democracy, writes Carmel L. Vaisman, who also updates us about Israel's new biometric law.
Trinidad & Tobago: Butter Bread
“In one of Port of Spain’s wealthiest neighbourhoods…the older, tastefully-designed homes can no longer be admired because they cannot be perceived: their garden walls are now higher than their eaves; and topped with razor wire: pass your butter bread over such a wall and it comes out the other side...
Video: Drug legalization and life post-prohibition
There are groups of people advocating for the legalization of drugs, but what would that actually mean? From Hungary to Colombia, from youth to teachers, from cops and clergy, individuals and groups are taking to citizen media to put forth their arguments regarding this potentially controversial subject.
Poland: Government Approves Proposal to Create Registry of Banned Websites and Services
Sylwia Presley posts an update on the Polish government's controversial decision to create a Registry of Banned Websites and Services, and on the Polish netizens' ongoing protests against Internet censorship.
India: Plastic Bag Ban Not Effective
Raja Basu at Potpourri informs: “despite a ban on its use in India, plastic bag is very much in use in India.”
China: More Violence Over Salary Dispute
A migrant worker from Hebei was stabbed Jan. 9, resulting in the loss of a kidney, after requesting withheld salary from a subcontractor in Beijing, reports the Yangcheng Evening News. The incident has been dubbed the “beg for salary, lose a kidney” incident by Chinese media sources. 28 year-old Gao Zhiqiang, father of three,...
Russia: Company To Pay $300K For Illegaly Taking Forbes Domain
Russian cybersquatter company “Landmark VIP Service” will have to pay $300,000 penalties for illegally taking domain Forbes.ru, forbesrussia.ru reports [RUS] . It is the largest fine for cybersquatting in the history of RuNet.
Jordan: Bloggers Take On Controversial Court Ruling
Following the recent Jordanian Cessation Court’s decision to subject electronic websites to the Press and Publication Law, the Jordanian web has been overflowing with reactions to the court ruling which many Jordanians see as a step back for freedom of speech in the country.
Haiti: Instances of “Looting,” but Little Confirmed Evidence of Post-Quake Violence
Four nights after the Haiti earthquake the airwaves and the Internet are seeing a raging debate over blogs and news media's use of the word “looting." Marc Herman offers a look into blogs and press from all over the world.
Trinidad & Tobago: Remember the Tax?
“With Trinbagonians distracted with the upcoming Carnival, Beyonce and now Haiti, the new Property Tax seems all but forgotten”: KnowTnT.com posts a reminder.
Azerbaijan: Selective Law
Flying Carpets and Broken Pipelines comments on the selective application of the law in Azerbaijan and uses the example of imprisoned video blogging youth activists Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli to illustrate its point.
Uganda: Museveni distances himself from Anti-Homosexuality Bill
Sokari posts a YouTube video showing Ugandan President distancing himself from Anti-Homosexuality Bill: “Nonetheless it is not clear how much of the Bill he is distancing himself from so the pressure needs to be kept up as clearly it working.”
Guatemala: Investigation Reveals Rosenberg Masterminded His Own Murder
After an investigation by a UN commission, it was determined that Guatemalan lawyer Rodrigo Rosenberg had masterminded his own murder, clearing President Álvaro Colom, who Rosenberg had accused in a video left behind after his death.
Jamaica: Big Guns
Jamaica Salt reports on the number of guns being smuggled into the island.
Church attacks in Malaysia
Several Christian churches were attacked in Malaysia following a court ruling which overturned the government directive banning non-Muslims from using the word Allah in their teachings and publications. Here are some reactions from the Malaysian blogosphere
