The fight for digital freedom - openDemocracy

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression but conditions apply

Egypt has jailed journalists by the dozen; the Gulf is jailing people for tweets they send and surveillance companies are gearing them up. One does not need a crystal ball to see that repressive states in the MENA region will continue to suppress dissent.

By Open democracy

/ 19 Mar 2014

UAE's political show trials

The latest trial saw 20 Egyptians and 10 Emiratis found guilty in a process marred by a litany of human rights and fair trial violations.The widening influence of security services, which act with complete impunity, causes grave concern for the safety of those brave enough to challenge repressive

By Open democracy

/ 29 Jan 2014

Don't say 'I told you so'

Avoid the temptation to be smug about it: Snowden's leaks matter, and others will follow.

By Magnus Nome

/ 6 Jul 2013

Banned in Russia

YouTube’s challenge to Russia’s controversial blacklist law could aid activists in fighting Russia's growing control of the web.

By Elena Vlasenko

/ 15 Mar 2013

The Great Firewall of China

China’s authorities maintain a tight grip on the web. But with increasing numbers of tech-savvy users, how long can this control last? Index’s China correspondent investigates .

By Open democracy

/ 15 Mar 2013

India has an internet problem

Hastily drafted legislation has led to an upsurge in prosecution for web users.

By Open democracy

/ 13 Mar 2013

Private lives, public space

As more and more interaction takes place on privately owned platforms, we should demand they protect our free speech.

By Open democracy

/ 13 Mar 2013

The law and social media

Online interaction is difficult to define under laws designed for a different age. Can we find a new way?

By Open democracy

/ 13 Mar 2013

Below the line, below the belt?

Comments threads democratise online media, but they present their own problems for free speech.

By Open democracy

/ 12 Mar 2013

Gathering clouds over digital freedom?

The debate over the direction of the web has just started, and contradictory messages that need careful scrutiny are emerging from governments and corporations alike.

By Open democracy

/ 12 Mar 2013

Rebuilding the walls

The internet promised “shared humanity in all its messy glory”. But national governments are keen to turn back the global tide of communications.

By Open democracy

/ 12 Mar 2013

Getting copyright right

‘Digital’ means copying. Attempts to defend copyright the old-fashioned way could have unforeseen consequences for the web.

By Open democracy

/ 11 Mar 2013