Censorship

One former defense minister wins lawsuit against another

The First Basic Court in Belgrade has ruled in favor of Dragan Sutanovac in a defamation case he brought against Bratislav Gasic.

Gasic will have to pay RSD 200,000 to Sutanovac for damaging his honor and reputation when he said the latter eavesdropped on former Serbian President Boris Tadic. He will also have to pay the legal expenses of the trial.

Christians in Turkey subjected to rising hate speech: Protestant Church report

Turkey's Association of Protestant Churches has prepared its 2016 Rights Violations Report, noting that hate speech against the country's Christians has increased in both conventional and social media. 

The annual report said hate speech against Protestants persisted throughout 2016, in addition to physical attacks on Protestant individuals and their churches. 

Germany to scrap 'lese majeste' law after Turkey row

The German government voted on Jan. 25 to scrap a "lese majeste" law that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had sought to employ against a popular German television satirist. 

Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet decided to abolish by Jan. 1, 2018 the rarely enforced section of the criminal code that prohibits insulting organs or representatives of foreign states.

Don't utter what you don't want to hear

"Coward, villain, utterly dark, ignorant, disgusting, traitor, lumpen, tool of the terror organization, immoral, leftover pro-mandate, spoiled soul." If you direct these words at someone, at best, you yourself would be the subject to similar adjectives. At worst, something could be thrown at you, which is a reaction that will totally be tolerated in a society with a tendency for violence.

Greece 89th in press freedom, says Reporters Without Borders 2015 index

World press freedom deteriorated in 2015, especially in the Americas, advocacy group Reporters Without Borders said on Wednesday as it released its annual rankings and warned of “a new era of propaganda”.

The World Press Freedom Index ranks 180 countries on indicators such as media independence, self-censorship, the rule of law, transparency and abuses.

Turkish president takes opposition CHP leader to court upon 'pervert' debate

As Turkey's political leaders continue to trade harsh epithets in the aftermath of a sexual abuse scandal, President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an has filed yet another complaint against the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader on "insult" charges, demanding 100,000 liras in compensation for non-pecuniary damages.

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