Source: http://educators.livecodehosting.com/freedom-of-the-press-global-legal-monitor-news-feed/
Timestamp: 2017-11-21 19:30:42
Document Index: 104549480

Matched Legal Cases: ['art. 8', 'art. 134', 'art. 2', '§ 24', 'art. 194', 'art. 195', 'art. 36', 'art 5', 'art. 2', 'art. 6', 'art. 4', 'art. 9', 'art. 7', 'art. 4', 'art. 5', 'art. 47', 'art. 9', 'in fine', 'in fine']

Freedom of the press – Global Legal Monitor [News Feed] | Educators
(May 3, 2017) On April 29, 2017, in accordance with Law No. 5651 on the regulation of Internet publications, Turkey’s Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA), under the Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications, issued an administrative order blocking all language editions of the Wikipedia website in Turkey. (Akira Tomlinson, Turkey Blocks Wikipedia as Threat to National Security, PAPER CHASE (Apr. 29, 2017); Wikipedia Blocked in Turkey, TURKEY BLOCKS (Apr. 29, 2017).) The ICTA reportedly announced on its website, “an administrative measure has been taken for this website (wikipedia.org) according to Decision Nr. 490.05.01.2017.-182198 dated 29/04/2017 implemented by [the ICTA].” (Wikipedia Blocked in Turkey, supra.) The Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications reportedly stated in an e-mail that Wikipedia was blocked because of “its articles and comments showing Turkey in coordination and aligned with various terrorist groups, … . Instead of coordinating against terrorism, it has become part of an information source which is running a smear campaign against Turkey in the international arena,” and that Wikipedia had refused to remove such content despite having been warned by the Turkish government to do so. (Can Sezer & David Dolan, Turkey Blocks Access to Wikipedia, REUTERS (Apr. 29, 2017).) Legal Basis for the Action According to article 8/A of Law No. 5651, a judge may take a decision to remove content from or block access to the Internet on one or more of the following grounds: to protect the right of life or security of life and property, to protect national security and public order, to prevent the commission of a crime, or to protect public health. (Law on Regulation of Publications on the Internet and Combating Crimes Committed by Means of Such Publications of Turkey and Amendments of 27 March 2015 (Law No. 5651), art. 8/A(1), Opinion No. 805/2015, CDL-REF(2016)026, European Commission for Democracy …
(Feb. 28, 2017) With the aim of “recovering and promoting citizens’ rights,” Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, under his constitutional authority to “determine the program and policies of the government,” signed the Charter on Citizens’ Rights in a ceremony on December 19, 2016. (Rouhani Unveils Charter on Civil Rights; Vagueness Regarding “Enforcement Guarantee,” VOA (Dec. 19, 2016) (in Persian); Manshur-e Hoquq-e Shahrvandi [Charter on Citizens’ Rights] (Dec. 2016), Hassan Rouhani website; Charter on Citizen’s Rights (Charter) (Dec. 2016), Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran website (official English translation); Qanun-e Asasi-e Jomhuri-e Islami-e Iran [Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran] (1979), art. 134, Islamic Parliament Research Center of the Islamic Republic of Iran website; Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran (Constitution), Comparative Constitutions Project website.) The Charter, which is actually draft legislation that needs to be passed by Iran’s Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament), contains no specific enforcement guarantee. (Rouhani Unveils Charter on Civil Rights; Vagueness Regarding “Enforcement Guarantee,” supra; Mehrnaz Samimi, Will Rouhani’s “Charter of Rights” Change Anything in Iran?, ATLANTIC COUNCIL (Jan. 3, 2017).) The Charter contains 120 articles, which include the right of Iranian citizens “to enjoy a decent life and necessities thereof, such as clean water, adequate food, promotion of health, … appropriate medical treatment, access to medicines, … and safe and sustainable environmental conditions. (Charter, art. 2.) The Charter guarantees citizens’ freedom of speech and expression “within the limits prescribed by law,” and affords them the right to access public information, communicate in cyberspace, assemble and participate in demonstrations, and receive due process of law. (Id. arts. 26, 30, 33, 46 & 57.) In addition, the Charter provides for a number of women’s rights, guaranteeing women’s particip …
(Feb. 14, 2017) On February 6, 2017, the Constitutional and Human Rights Division of the High Court of Kenya at Nairobi found unconstitutional article 194 of the country’s 1930 Penal Code, which relates to criminal defamation. (Jacqueline Okuta & another v Attorney General & 2 others [2017] eKLR, Kenya Law website.) Two individuals, Jacqueline Okuta and Jackson Njeru, who were on two separate occasions each arraigned on criminal defamation charges for posting items on the Facebook page Buyer beware-Kenya, brought the petition challenging the legality and continued enforcement of the provision. (Id. at 2.) The challenge relied on two provisions of the 2010 Kenyan Constitution: the freedom of expression clause and the limitation of rights and fundamental freedoms clause. (Id. at 3; The Constitution of Kenya (2010), §§ 24 & 33, Embassy of the Republic of Kenya, Washington D.C.website.) The Penal Code The Penal Code states, “[a]ny person who, by print, writing, painting or effigy, or by any means otherwise than solely by gestures, spoken words or other sounds, unlawfully publishes any defamatory matter concerning another person, with intent to defame that other person, is guilty of the misdemeanour termed libel.” (Penal Code of 1930, art. 194, Cap. 63 (Aug. 1, 1930), Kenya Law website.) The Code defines the term “defamatory matter” as a “matter likely to injure the reputation of any person by exposing him to hatred, contempt or ridicule, or likely to damage any person in his profession or trade by an injury to his reputation; and it is immaterial whether at the time of the publication of the defamatory matter the person concerning whom the matter is published is living or dead.” (Id. art. 195.) The general punishment imposed on conviction for a misdemeanor, including defamation, is a maximum of two years in prison and/or a fine. (Id. art. 36.) The Constitutional Provisions on Freedom of Expression The Bill of Rights chapter in the 2010 Kenyan Constitution incl …
(Feb. 10, 2017) On February 6, 2017, Vanuatu’s first freedom of information law came into effect, following the unanimous passage of the law by the Parliament on November 24, 2016. (Right to Information Becomes Law in Vanuatu, RADIO NEW ZEALAND (Feb. 8, 2017); Jane Joshua, PINA and MAV Laud Historic RTI Law, VANUATU DAILY POST (Feb. 7, 2017); Right to Information Act Becomes Law in Vanuatu, PASIFIK (Feb. 7, 2017).) The purpose of the Right to Information Act 2016 is (a) to give effect to the right to freedom of expression under paragraph 5(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Republic of Vanuatu [PacLII]; and (b) to provide access to information held by Government agencies, relevant private entities and private entities, subject to exceptions provided under Part 5 of this Act; and (c) to establish voluntary and mandatory mechanisms to give the public the right to access to information; and (d) to promote transparency, accountability, and national development by empowering and educating the public to understand and act upon their rights to information; and (e) to increase public participation in governance. (Bill for the Right to Information Act No. … of 2016, cl. 1, Parliament of Vanuatu website.) Information to Be Published by Government Agencies Under the Act, government agencies and relevant private entities are required to “publish and disseminate an initial statement of its organization in each official language,” with the statement to include certain types of listed information, and to update that information every six months. (Id. cl. 6(1) & (2).) In addition, they must “publish all relevant facts, important policies or decisions which affect the public,” provide reasons for certain decisions, and publish information related to tenders and finalized contracts. (Id. cl. 6(3).) The Act also obligates the government to publish information regarding its functions and activities, including: (a) laws, rules or guidelines applicable to elections; and (b) electoral rolls …
(Feb. 7, 2017) On January 26, 2017, a Saudi journalist was sentenced to seven years in prison after a Saudi Arabian court convicted him of committing crimes against the national security of the state. (Saudi Writer Jailed for Seven Years, KUWAIT TIMES (Jan. 26, 2017).) The Criminal Court of Riyadh, which is a specialized court that adjudicates crimes related to terrorism, found 40-year-old journalist Nadhir al-Majid guilty of participating in unauthorized protests against the state and of establishing links with foreign media outlets to provide them with information that could have harmed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (Saudi Activist Convicted of “Ties” with Foreign Journalists, ASIA NEWS (Jan. 27, 2017).)
News reports state that al-Majid was not accompanied by a defense attorney or any of his family members during the trial hearings. (Saudi Writer Jailed for Seven Years, supra.) According to a report issued by the Human Rights Network for Journalists – Uganda, there is a concern that the Saudi authorities might refuse to deliver a copy of the verdict to al-Majid’s family. If that happens, it might prevent the family from seeking an appeal of his sentence at the Court of Appeal. (Saudi Arabian Writer Nadhir Al-Majid Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison, Human Rghts Network for Journalists – Uganda website (Jan. 27, 2017).)
(Jan. 10, 2017) On December 24, 2016, the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt issued Law No. 92 of 2016 on the Institutional Organization of the Press and the Media (OFFICIAL GAZETTE, No. 51 bis (Dec. 24, 2016), available at VETO GATE (in Arabic)). The Law provides for the establishment of the Supreme Council for the Regulation of the Media. The Council is an independent body, with corporate personality. (Id. art. 2.) The Council will be composed of a Chairman to be selected by the President of the Republic and 12 members representing such institutions as the Parliament, the Administrative Court, and the Journalists Association. (Id. art. 6.) The role of the Council is to regulate and supervise media outlets in all of their forms: print, broadcast, and electronic. (Id. art. 4.) Its tasks include in particular: expressing opinions concerning draft laws related to the Council’s field of work; granting licenses to establish broadcast and electronic media outlets; establishing the framework and standards necessary to ensure that media outlets abide by the rules and ethics of the profession; establishing, in consultation with the concerned association, the professional rules and standards for media reporting; receiving and investigating complaints of libel or invasion of privacy; regulating and supervising, with other concerned authorities, the sources of financing of media outlets, to ensure transparency and legality; granting permission to representatives of foreign newspapers and information agencies to work in Egypt, in accordance with the requirements it establishes to this effect; and imposing sanctions on whoever violates the obligations established in the permits or licenses and issuing a list of such sanctions. (Id.) The term of appointment to the Council is four years, renewable only once. (Id. art. 9.) Owners of newspapers or media outlets are not eligible for appointment to the Council. (Id. art. 7.) The Chairman represents the Council before the judiciar …
(Nov. 15, 2016) Tanzania’s legislature passed the Media Services Act, 2016, on November 5, 2016. (Tanzania: MPs Endorse Media Services Bill, ALL AFRICA (Nov. 6, 2016).) The text had been published as a bill in the country’s Gazette on August 26. (Media Services Act, 2016, 97 GAZETTE OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA (Aug. 26, 2016).) The bill, which will come into force on the date specified in a notice to be published in the Gazette, applies to mainland Tanzania. (Id. arts. 1 & 2.) The Act establishes the post of Director of Information Services, to be appointed by the President of Tanzania and be the chief advisor and spokesman for the government on strategic communication, news publication, and the functioning of the media industry. (Id. art. 4.) The Act outlines the Director’s many responsibilities, which include such tasks as licensing print media and coordinating the press coverage of major events. (Id. art. 5.) In addition, there will be a Journalist Accreditation Board and an Independent Media Council. (Id. arts. 10 & 23.) The Act also establishes crimes and penalties connected with the media. It specifies a punishment of three to five years of imprisonment and/or a fine of TZS5-20 million (about US$2,240-8,970) for intentionally publishing information that threatens the national defense, public safety, public order, or the economy or that injures the “reputation, rights and freedom of other persons.” (Id. art. 47.) The same punishment applies to anyone who operates an unlicensed media outlet, practices journalism without accreditation, without reason disseminates false information, or prints or distributes seditious publications. (Id.) Reaction to the Act Critics in Tanzania have argued that the Act will negatively impact press freedom and was passed hastily, without proper discussion. One of the key points of contention is the power given to the government to shutter media businesses that violate the conditions of their permits. (Id. art. 9; Tanzania: Par …
Indonesia: Revised Information Law Controversial
(Nov. 2, 2016) On October 27, 2016, Indonesia’s House of Representatives adopted a revision of the 2008 Law on Electronic Information and Transactions. The amended Law is now awaiting action by President Joko Widodo to put it into effect. (ITE Law Draft Revision Passed into Law, JAKARTA POST (Oct. 27, 2016); Undang-Undang Republik Indonesia Nomor 11 Tahun 2008 Tentang Informasi dan Transaksi Elektronik [Law of the Republic of Indonesia No. 11, 2008, on Electronic Information and Transactions], House of Representatives website; English translation of Law No. 11, 2008, Press Council website.) The Minister of Communications and Information, Rudiantara, noted that there were only a few minor changes made to the amending legislation recently. The new amendment covers a number of different issues and “it is expected that they can answer problems posed by the current [technological] developments.” (ITE Law Draft Revision Passed into Law, supra.) The changes to the Law include an expanded definition of defamation and libel, contained in article 27(3). Those convicted of defamation might now be sentenced to up to six years of imprisonment, an increase over the previous maximum of four years, in addition to up to Rp750 million in fines (about US$57,000). That highest possible fine represents a reduction from the previous ceiling of Rp1 billion. Supporting violent actions as stipulated in article 29 of the Law is now punishable with a maximum term of imprisonment of four years, with the same possible fine; this also represents a reduction in the most severe possible sentence from the previous 12 years in prison and up to Rp2 billion in fines. (Id.) Reactions to the Revised Law The revised Law has been criticized by Asep Komaruddin of the Legal Aid Institute for the Press. He focused on the potential threat to press freedom posed by article 26, which states that “[e]very electronic system organizer is required to delete electronic information deemed no longer relevant by someon …
(Sept. 9, 2016) A draft law on a Code of Media Communication was adopted by Madagascar’s Senate and National Assembly on July 13, 2016, and July 14, 2016, respectively. (Loi no 2016-029 portant Code de la Communication Médiatisée [Law 2016-029 Establishing the Code of Media Communication] (Code de la Communication Médiatisée), National Assembly website (July 14, 2016).) The Code comprises 209 articles divided into ten titles. After being passed by the two chambers of the Madagascar Parliament, the legislation was approved by the High Constitutional Court (Haute Cour Constitutionnelle) on August 12, 2016. The Court has the authority to decide on the compliance of laws with the Constitution. (Décision no 30-HCC/D3 du 12 août 2016 relative à la loi no 2016-029 portant Code de la communication médiatisée [Decision No. 30-HCC/D3 of August 12, 2016 Concerning Law No. 2016-029 on the Code of Media Communication], High Constitutional Court website.) The Court decided that, with the exception of article 6, which concerns the right to freedom of information, the legislation is consistent with the Constitution and can be enacted. (Madagascar: le nouveau Code de la communication jugé conforme à la Constitution [Madagascar: the New Communication Code Judged Consistent with the Constitution], RFI (Aug. 12, 2016).) The key purposes of the legislation are the provision of security measures for media professionals; protection of journalists’ equipment and sources of information; and creation of the National Regulatory Authority of Media Communication (l’Autorité Nationale de Régulation de la Communication Médiatisée), an institution with the mission of regulating activities in the media communication sector. The Code punishes with fines traditional offenses such as contempt, defamation, or insult carried out through the media. Other offenses, such as those classified as crimes or common crimes, remain governed by Madagascar’s Penal Code or other specific legal provisions. (Code de l …