cafebabel.com

Hungary: Klubradio’s silence

('Annie Rutherford',) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:00:00 -0000

While the international press talks of a ‘new Europe’ and rating agencies note an upward economic trend in eastern Europe, the wind is blowing in the opposite direction in Hungary. The advance of nationalism doesn’t only undermine democracy, pluralism and the liberty of an entire nation but it also has disastrous effects on the economy

Are you confiscating my ipod? EU citizens against ‘Acta’ treaty

('Katha Kloss',) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:27:06 -0000

A proposed worldwide ‘anti-counterfeiting trade agreement’ (ACTA) would impose a legal framework on online intellectual property rights. The term 'internet' is not even mentioned once in the entire treaty, infuriating European citizens who fear for their freedoms and about censorship

Hungary media law: France journalism cases no better

('Carol Howard',) — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:30:00 -0000

On 15 March tens of thousands of Hungarians protested against the government's planned media law. Even the European parliament's socialist, liberal, ecologist and far left politicians adopted a resolution asking for the suspension of the law, which 'needs re-examination'. Republication of an interview with a Rue89 journalist

From 1 January Hungary media under control

('euro topics',) — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 11:52:31 -0000

On 20 December Hungary's right-wing conservative government passed a restrictive media law; a new authority will control public television and radio broadcasters, as well as private media. The German, Italian and local press say this attack on press freedom augurs poorly for Hungary's six-month presidency of the council of the European Union. Press review

Assange arrest: Swedish, Swiss, Spanish and German reactions

('euro topics',) — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 11:46:56 -0000

WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Julian Assange was arrested in London on 6 December on charges of rape. Commentators suspect US pressure behind the arrest, as punishment for Assange's publishing of secret US documents. European press review

Ars Homo Erotica: 'bring the toilet to Warsaw national museum'

('Emilie Prattico',) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 18:21:02 -0000

Before the Euro pride parade on 17 July, exhibition curator Pawel Leszkowicz talks lesbian art, punching viewers in faces and explains why art and the Polish capital's largest museum is a live nerve of democracies

Three Croatian journalists to remember on world press freedom day

Mon, 03 May 2010 12:45:35 -0000

When renowned sports journalist Zarko Susic died a natural death aged 95 on 26 April, it was almost a shock that his passing wasn't suspicious. The US-based watchdog Freedom House ranks Croatia 85th in the world for its lack of press freedom

Sarkozy affair: why the Brit media and co were interested

('Andrew Burgess',) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:00:00 -0000

Whether it is fact or fiction, the rumours of extramarital romantic affairs relating to the French president first-born on Twitter has impassioned the European media, despite the notable absence of newspaper treatment in France. Are European news networks coming to the rescue of national censorship?

Almost 50 journalists behind bars: 'all young Iranians are potential journalists'

('Jude Lister',) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 10:00:00 -0000

On 11 February 2010, both opponents and supporters of Ahmadinejad were in the streets to celebrate the 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution. We speak to the Iranian lawyer and 2003 nobel peace prize laureate Shirin Ebadi

What's going on with China as guest of honour at the Frankfurt book fair?

('euro topics',) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:16:36 -0000

At the opening ceremony on 13 October, in the presence of Chinese vice president Xi Jinping, German chancellor Angela Merkel said there would be 'no taboos'. The Italian, Swiss, Spanish and German press react

'Papigate': same debate about women and media in Berlusconi era

('Helen Swain',) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:50:40 -0000

The salacious Italian scandal sustained newspapers worldwide for summer 2009. The uproar surrounds the personal, sexual, and not necessarily political activities of a prime minister who, in the word of his future ex-wife Veronica Lario, 'enjoys the company of the underaged'

Crisis in European journalism

('Helen Swain',) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:48:28 -0000

Between the precarious nature of the work and fear for the vocation, journalism hardly dares to testify anymore against its patrons, the big communications companies. The public’s right to information is decreasing alarmingly as a result of the current economic crisis

Iran's colourful presidentials: Facebook, fights and first wives

('Metsa Rahimi',) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:00:37 -0000

A week earlier, the EU campaigned to mobilise voters for the European parliamentary elections. Opposition candidates know that a similar effort may be their only chance of beating the incumbent in the Iranian presidentials. Iran's campaign officially rounds up as former PM, military chief and mullah go up against Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on 12 June. Overview

Parlorama.eu portal reopens despite EU politician threats

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:34:00 -0000

On 24 April, political pressure temporarily gagged the website which classifies Euro MPs according to their plenary sessions and parliamentary commission attendances. It is due to make a triumphant comeback with three new linguistic versions to boot on 4 or 5 May

Eutelsat blocks independent Chinese TV channel

('Benjamin Lasry',) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:26:27 -0000

On the eve of the opening ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, independent news channel New Tang Dynasty (NTD) asks for its signal to be resumed in China, after it was interrupted on 16 June by the European satellite company

Censoring Oliviero Toscani

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 12:00:00 -0000

'In art transgression is a duty,' says the Italian photographer, author of the latest shock campaign with French anorexic model Isabelle Caro. 'Brussels don't want to know a thing about my European vision'

Free Theatre of Minsk: onstage resistance

Tue, 22 May 2007 12:00:00 -0000

The Belarusian independent theatre company uses black humour and underground performances to protest against 'Europe's last dictatorship'

Egypt's bloggers do it better

('Hanna Sankowska',) — Wed, 02 May 2007 12:00:00 -0000

UNESCO World Press Freedom Day reminds the world of the need to protect the fundamental rights of the freedom of expression and press on 3 May

No-río: 'There must be space to criticise religious leaders'

Fri, 16 Mar 2007 12:00:00 -0000

Japan’s leading cartoonist No-río on France, freedom of press, Playboy and political cartoons

Exiled from Iran: the thirst for liberty

Mon, 22 May 2006 02:00:00 -0000

The Iranian community are well integrated in Europe, and they remain unanimous in their desire that Iran respects human rights

The Internet - weapon of mass attraction

Tue, 13 Jul 2004 06:28:00 -0000

Three ideas for how new technologies can be used in the fight for freedom across the world.

The Old Ghost is Haunting the New Media

Tue, 27 Jan 2004 07:54:00 -0000

After the dispute between the World Jewish Congress and the EU Commission, one might well ask: Just how anti-Semitic is Europe?

Human Rights? Up in Thin Air

Thu, 23 Oct 2003 07:54:00 -0000

The Chinese leadership is celebrating one success after another: even in manned space travel they are light years ahead. And the EU is doing everything to ensure that remains so.