Global Free Speech Update

China:  nothing new to report on this, the 21st anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre.  All weekend protesters have been arrested, organizers harassed, and students barred from displaying symbols of democracy and freedom.  In one case the Chinese University Authority apparently took down a statue representing the "goddess of democracy" from the university campus under the requirement of "political neutrality."  Here’s the public outrage. Here’s HK’s official response.

Thailand: three weeks after the military assault on "Red Shirt" protesters, and two months after a state of emergency was declared in Bangkok, the government continues to clamp down on political protest and dissent. Under the emergency decree, public gatherings of 5 or more people are prohibited. More than 1000 websites have been shut down, and protesters are subject to arrest and detention for 30 days without being charged.

US:  the third circuit head oral arguments en banc this past week to determine how much protection the First Amendment provides to students who slam their principles on-line. The two cases being reviewed, Layshock v. Hermitage School District and J.S. v. Blue Mountain, muddied the waters when the trial courts and separate appellate panels reached different conclusions on remarkably similar facts.

Angola: freedom of the press takes a nose-dive when three independent dailies are bought up by a private company whose owners are unknown, leading to suspicion about the government’s influence in facilitating the sale. Says the Open Society Institute: "the biggest blow to democracy and freedom of expression in the country," and an "institutional coup of the ruling oligarchy to silence all dissenting voices and to have everyone under their control."

-Kathleen Bergin