Freedom of Speech Roundup

In the weekly Freedom of Speech Roundup, Sampsonia Way presents some of the week’s top news on freedom of expression, journalists in danger, artists in exile, and banned literature.

Myanmar goverment abolishes direct media censorship after 50 years.

Myanmar Ends Direct Media Censorship

Boston.com Myanmar abolished direct censorship of the media Monday in the most dramatic move yet toward allowing freedom of expression in the long-repressed nation. Read more

Patrick Ness: Censorship in the Internet Age

The Guardian. In the penultimate Edinburgh World Writers’ Conference lecture, Patrick Ness argues that in 2012, the censorship we need to beware of is the subtle variety we impose on ourselves. Read more

Writers Condemn Arizona School Literature Law

Edinburg Conference. Following the Edinburgh World Writers’ Conference session on “Censorship Today”, Ben Okri delivered the following statement on behalf of the participating writers. Read more

When Is Government Web Censorship Justified? An Indian Horror Story

The Atlantic. Self-fulfilling rumors of ethnic violence spread like a virus across the newly wired India, sending 300,000 citizens fleeing and leading the government to extreme measures. Read more

Japanese Journalist Mika Yamamoto Killed in Syria

Committee to Protect Journalists. Yamamoto’s death reflects Japan’s media reach, duty. Read more

The New York Times. Two days after the Japanese journalist Mika Yamamoto was shot and killed in the Syrian city of Aleppo, her news agency released some of the footage she recorded in her final hours. Read more.

In Meles’ Death, as in Life, a Penchant for Secrecy, Control

Committee to Protect Journalists. Finally, after weeks of government silence and obfuscation over Meles’ health, there was clarity for Ethiopians anxious for word about their leader. Still, it was left to unnamed sources to fill in even the basic details. Read more

Is Pakistan’s Ansar Abbasi being banned?

Committee to Protect Journalists. Ansar Abbasi, editor of investigations for Pakistan’s leading media group Jang, is apparently facing a de facto ban from his own employers. Read more

Five Bizarre Blasphemy Cases

Index on censorship. Some countries are upholding vague blasphemy laws that make it easy to clamp down on free speech in the name of protecting religion. Here are some ridiculous blasphemy cases from around the world this year. Read more

Teddy Bear Trouble in Belarus

CBC Radio. Last month, people in Minsk were surprised to see hundreds of teddy bears parachuting down on their city, in an action calling for free speech. The action has caused a diplomatic spat, and a mounting political crisis in Belarus. Interview with Per Cromwell, CEO of Studio Total, the Swedish ad agency behind the bears. Listen here

On Pussy Riot

Time World. A Russian President whose popularity is declining needs a ‘national idea’ to rationalize his rule. And it’s in the traditions of the pre-Soviet church-state relationship that he hopes to find it. Read more

Financial Times. It has been difficult for Russians to understand why Pussy Riot has been such a big sensation in the west. Read More