media & the net - openDemocracy

The link tax threatens the internet as we know it

The EU Commission's proposed copyright directive poses a threat to the internet's fundamental interconnectedness.

By Open democracy

/ 20 Mar 2017

How the BBC can create a better digital public sphere

The BBC’s remit is not just broadcast. It has the power to improve our experiences online, and to realise the digital public sphere we want.

By Open democracy

/ 19 Jul 2016

A radical proposal to preserve the BBC’s independence

To safeguard the BBC’s independence decisions over the Licence Fee should be taken away from politicians and handed over to a new independent statutory body.

By Open democracy

/ 15 Oct 2015

Break big media monopolies and help new journalism projects—poll

Amid saturation media coverage of the coming UK general election, corporate control of big news organisations goes unquestioned. Yet if the public could vote on that, they'd change it.

By Des Freedman

/ 2 Apr 2015

China vs Facebook: intimate rivals

The Chinese state and the United States company are engaged in an epic if undeclared contest over control and wealth-creation, says Kerry Brown.

By Open democracy

/ 21 Jan 2014

A very British Marxist - and his son

Britain's most vehement conservative newspaper, in the course of an assault on Ralph Miliband, father of the Labour Party leader, accused the Belgian-born academic of having "hated" the country he found refuge in and fought for. Martin Shaw offers both a personal and political take on the ensuing

By Martin Shaw

/ 6 Oct 2013

Spain: national television, government tool?

The Spanish government's determination to manipulate public television and treat viewers as idiots is backfiring. Liz Cooper reports on the response of the private sector, backed by social networks and free press

By Open democracy

/ 19 Aug 2013

From Morsi to Sisi: the evolution of targeting journalists in Egypt

One of the only consistencies in Egypt, from the Mubarak era through to the SCAF period to Morsi’s rule to the tumultuous summer of 2013, has been encroachments on press freedom and attacks on journalists. But there have been subtle shifts in how journalists have been targeted, and attacks are bec

By Open democracy

/ 18 Aug 2013

Retake your privacy

The US can read your emails because you let them. Demand privacy – but take it back first.

By Magnus Nome

/ 21 Jun 2013

Dimon Don't Cry

The Russian Prime Minister, Dmitry Medvedev, doesn't like his online nickname “Dimon,” but whatever we think of Dimon’s playground problems how does one stand up to online bullies? And why are so many of them Russian?

By Oliver Bullough

/ 19 Apr 2013

The two worlds of Viktor Yanukovych’s Ukraine

Ukraine’s President Yanukovych has completed his takeover of his country’s TV channels, and is making inroads into the internet. As Ukraine faces a choice of whether to align itself with Europe or Eurasia, Sergii Leshchenko wonders if there is a way back.

By Sergii Leshchenko

/ 14 Mar 2013

The future of Russia's i-curtain

Hot on the heels of a new law establishing a register of forbidden sites, Russian authorities are now promoting a system of 'virtual' borders and international supervision. Their proposal has so far failed to find significant support, but Russia will keep trying, says Irina Borogan

By Open democracy

/ 11 Feb 2013