Focus On: Criminal Libel in Azerbaijan
“We have a small space for democracy in this country, but when a journalist is jailed for criminal defamation this space becomes smaller.” Media activists in Azerbaijan don’t have much to cheer about these days as the country’s dismal record on press freedom shows little sign of improving. But there was some grounds for […]
Pro bono spotlight on: John Jones
“It was pitiful to see the state of the defendants. They were in prison smocks, handcuffed with their heads shaved. It was a terrible way to treat any criminal accused, never mind journalists whose only wrong was to have expressed their opinions.” Why do you get involved in pro bono work? It is a […]
My story: Shahzad Ahmad, Bytes for All
Shahzad Ahmad is Director of Bytes for All, a human rights organisation that campaigns against internet censorship in Pakistan. MLDI is supporting Bytes for All on a case it has brought to the courts claiming that the banning of You Tube is against the Pakistan constitution. Here Shahzad gives us more background on the case. We will feature further updates as the case progresses.
What happened next: Victor Ndoki – Cameroon
Victor Ndoki is the editor of Cameroon newspaper “Les Nouvelles du Pays”. In April 2009 he published an article reporting that the Minister of Communication had deposited funds intended for the visit of Pope Benedict the XVI into his personal account. Two years later defamation charges were brought against him. He sought MLDI’s assistance and in January 2013 the case was abandoned. We catch up with him to find out what the impact of the case has been.
Focus On: Uganda
HRNJ’s Geoffrey Ssebaggala tells us more. Uganda has over 200 licensed radio stations-both local and community radios, over forty licensed TV stations, and over sixty newspapers. The main source of information for the people is through the broadcast media, mainly the local radios and national television. Newspapers are mostly accessed in the townships, where people can afford to […]
Protecting freedom of speech in Thailand
An increasing number of journalists and activists are being imprisoned under the strict lese-majeste law, which makes criticising the monarchy a criminal offence. MLDI is supporting the case of Somyot Preuksakasemsuk who has been denied bail 15 times.
Pro bono spotlight on: Michelle Glassman Bock
What motivates you to do pro bono work? The various legal frameworks and court systems around the world are a fundamental part of our day to day lives but not everyone has access to good legal help. The people that do not have access to it, or cannot afford it, are equally entitled to protect […]