Google has released its latest Transparency Report, July to December 2012, which shows that ‘User data requests’ have increased by over 70% since 2009. It has not recorded content removals but those will be reported separately in due course. UK information is available here; more detailed US data can be found here. Meanwhile, an Open Letter to Skype from “Privacy Advocates, Internet Activists, Journalists & Other Organizations” calls on the VoIP service to release a regularly updated Transparency Report as well. Continue reading
The International Forum for Responsible Media Blog
Month: January 2013 (Page 2 of 6)
Although online issues were not covered in great detail by the Leveson inquiry, Robert Jay QC’s comments to the Singapore Academy of Law concerning the liability of internet service providers (ISPs) earlier this week are startling. Continue reading
In his Report Lord Justice Leveson considered and rejected a proposal that there should be a statutory right of reply or correction. This was a proposal made by the Media Regulation Roundtable in its evidence to the Inquiry [pdf]. Continue reading
In the case of Ashby Donald and others v France (Judgment of 10 January 2013) the Court of Human Rights has, for the first time in a judgment on the merits, clarified that a conviction based on copyright law for illegally reproducing or publicly communicating copyright protected material can be regarded as an interference with the right of freedom of expression and information under Article 10 of the European Convention. Such interference must be in accordance with the three conditions enshrined in the second paragraph of Article 10 of the Convention. Continue reading
This image, by Corey Seeman on Flickr, is the Monument to your Future Collaborators, on the pavement outside the Knight Management Center in the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University, where Brian Cowen attended the Executive Education Programme last Summer. Cowen probably walked past it, if not over it, several times. Continue reading
Neelie Kroes, with Prof Herta Daubler-Gmelin (left) and Prof Vaire Vike Freiberga
The EU High Level Group on Media Pluralism and Freedom has published a report “A free and pluralistic media to sustain European democracy”. This makes recommendations for the respect, protection, support and promotion of pluralism and freedom of the media in Europe. It expresses concern over the “rejection out of hand” of the Leveson recommendations by “some politicians in high office”. Continue reading
Posting a risqué joke? Maybe you should think twice! With so many recent developments it is understandable for individuals to be concerned about getting into trouble when publishing something online. Criminal charges for posts on social networking sites such as the infamous Robin Hood Airport bombing case and recent arrests for malicious communications are serious warnings to members of the public. Continue reading
As reported on Inforrm ex-Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland, Brian Cowen, is potentially pursuing a complaint against The Mail On Sunday for publishing a story about his return to education. Mr Cowen enrolled himself onto a US$58,000 Executive Program (for ‘senior executives‘) at Stanford University. Dr. O’Dell makes a very persuasive prediction that the complaint would not be upheld by the Press Ombudsman or the Press Council of Ireland because of the public interest in the story due to Mr. Cowen’s status as a public figure, and the fact that photographs were taken of him on the University Campus which is a public place. Continue reading
Journalisted is an independent, not-for-profit website built to make it easier for the public, to find out more about journalists and what they write about. It is run by the Media Standards Trust. It collects information automatically from the websites of British news outlets. Articles are indexed by journalist, based on the byline to the article. Keywords and statistics are automatically generated, and the site searches for any blogs or social bookmarking sites linking to each article. Continue reading
On 14 December 2012 the Ministry of Justice commenced an informal consultation seeking views on the content of the Regulations to be made under clause 5 of the Defamation Bill concerning the new defence for website operators. These Regulations will establish the notice and take-down procedure that website operators will have to follow in order to be able to rely on the new clause 5 defence. Continue reading
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