Repression of Free Speech
King Abdullah in the Arab kingdom has promised reforms, but lately two journalists have been arrested for reporting on a prime minister who was heard to have told other parliamentary members not to refer an official to a corruption court. One was bailed for about 7050 U.S. dollars. The other was given no bail. Other people have been arrested. Two groups of peaceful protestors were arrested and a man was arrested for burning a picture of the king. If the king wishes his people to believe that he will make reforms, he must give his people free speech and not persecute them for pointless "crimes". These people are being abused and this must stop if the country will ever have peace.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
Revolutionary Icon Jailed
In Iran, an 80 year-old activist has been arrested and detained. His name is Yazdi and his health has been failing. His family members are afraid that jail could kill him, along with another activist. Yazdi, during his trial, refused to defend himself as his accusations mainly related to freedom of speech and he believed he did nothing wrong. It looks like Yazdi has been sentenced to Jail, although neither he nor his lawyer has yet been informed. This is very inspiring behavior, that he would not only stand up for what he believes in, but refuse to take beck his words under extreme pressure and attempt to defend his actions.The Iranian government should honor people's rights and face any threat. This is low what they do and threatens the people's freedom. Once one right is jeopardized, all of them may be.
In Iran, an 80 year-old activist has been arrested and detained. His name is Yazdi and his health has been failing. His family members are afraid that jail could kill him, along with another activist. Yazdi, during his trial, refused to defend himself as his accusations mainly related to freedom of speech and he believed he did nothing wrong. It looks like Yazdi has been sentenced to Jail, although neither he nor his lawyer has yet been informed. This is very inspiring behavior, that he would not only stand up for what he believes in, but refuse to take beck his words under extreme pressure and attempt to defend his actions.The Iranian government should honor people's rights and face any threat. This is low what they do and threatens the people's freedom. Once one right is jeopardized, all of them may be.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Cyber Security
A new bill in the United States has recently passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is in the Senate. Obama has declared that if the bill is on his desk, he will veto it. This new bill, labeled Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (Cispa), is designed to allow the government to access web-users private information on a suspicion of a threat. Many people are backing this, including Microsoft and Facebook, while activists are vehemently opposed. I agree with the activist, this bill is not right and jeopardizes our first amendment. MAny things, including SOPA, have put our rights at risk latley, and if the government gains too much power, who will keep it in check. It is important to protect our rights, especially freedom of speech, to keep our government in line.
A new bill in the United States has recently passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is in the Senate. Obama has declared that if the bill is on his desk, he will veto it. This new bill, labeled Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (Cispa), is designed to allow the government to access web-users private information on a suspicion of a threat. Many people are backing this, including Microsoft and Facebook, while activists are vehemently opposed. I agree with the activist, this bill is not right and jeopardizes our first amendment. MAny things, including SOPA, have put our rights at risk latley, and if the government gains too much power, who will keep it in check. It is important to protect our rights, especially freedom of speech, to keep our government in line.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
This is background information on freedom of speech. A list of inalienable human rights made by the people of France and approved by the National Assembly of France during the French Revolution. In Article 11 it states that Freedom of Expression "is one of the most precious rights of man" and must be protected. This is one of the earliest documents that states freedom of communication must be protected. It is an important right to protect and the french revolters recognized that. It is kind of cool that the french people thought these rights were so important that they made a list to remind the people. Hopefully, people will be reminded that rights are important and remind their governments.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Reporter Shot
In Northeastern Brazil, 42 year-old Sa was shot as he ate dinner at a diner. Over his years of writing, he has featured many local crimes and unearthed a lot of corruption, gaining him many enemies. While his friends and family are grieved by the incident, they are not necessarily surprised. In a recent study, Brazil is number 11 in the world for the murder of journalists gone unsolved. Especially with his location, reporters are not surprised. This is sad. This man was doing his best to make his town aware of crime and corruption, and he was killed. While this may not be surprising, this needs to stop. Cases such as this can not go unsolved. If people believe they can get away with killing their enemies, especially journalists, then crime will rampage in the city. Freedom of speech will become a thing of the past if the murders go unsolved and the citizens, every single one, are not protected.
In Northeastern Brazil, 42 year-old Sa was shot as he ate dinner at a diner. Over his years of writing, he has featured many local crimes and unearthed a lot of corruption, gaining him many enemies. While his friends and family are grieved by the incident, they are not necessarily surprised. In a recent study, Brazil is number 11 in the world for the murder of journalists gone unsolved. Especially with his location, reporters are not surprised. This is sad. This man was doing his best to make his town aware of crime and corruption, and he was killed. While this may not be surprising, this needs to stop. Cases such as this can not go unsolved. If people believe they can get away with killing their enemies, especially journalists, then crime will rampage in the city. Freedom of speech will become a thing of the past if the murders go unsolved and the citizens, every single one, are not protected.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Journalist Attacked
An independent journalist in Kazakhstan is attacked by two men. He was very outspoken, which is rare in a country where journalists and outspoken writers are harassed and threatened. His family called authorities to make sure that there was an investigation, but most investigations such as this go nowhere. This is sad that freedom of expression is threatened and people cannot be outspoken without being attacked. The investigation needs to be thorough and the attackers must be punished. If people can continue to attack journalists, then eventually there will be no freedom of speech for fear of being attacked. The attackers must be prosecuted.
An independent journalist in Kazakhstan is attacked by two men. He was very outspoken, which is rare in a country where journalists and outspoken writers are harassed and threatened. His family called authorities to make sure that there was an investigation, but most investigations such as this go nowhere. This is sad that freedom of expression is threatened and people cannot be outspoken without being attacked. The investigation needs to be thorough and the attackers must be punished. If people can continue to attack journalists, then eventually there will be no freedom of speech for fear of being attacked. The attackers must be prosecuted.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
US Bill of Rights
Here is a copy of the Bill of RIghts, which are amendments to the Constitution of the United States to protect the rights of the people. In Amendment 1, they address our freedom of speech to make sure it is protected. Our founders believed this right was so important, they added a list of amendments to our constitution to try and prevent the need for another revolution. It did not condone violence, nor did it allow it, for the first amendment does not give us the right to smack our neighbor if he is being unfair, though he may deserve it. It gives us the right to publicly speak out against the government, peacefully of course, in case there comes a time when we wish a grievance addressed. I believe this was very important, and it has protected the rights of american citizens for years. Freedom of speech is important, and our founders made sure it was protected very well. Every person has the right to peacefully speak out against wrongs, whether it is given to them or not.
Here is a copy of the Bill of RIghts, which are amendments to the Constitution of the United States to protect the rights of the people. In Amendment 1, they address our freedom of speech to make sure it is protected. Our founders believed this right was so important, they added a list of amendments to our constitution to try and prevent the need for another revolution. It did not condone violence, nor did it allow it, for the first amendment does not give us the right to smack our neighbor if he is being unfair, though he may deserve it. It gives us the right to publicly speak out against the government, peacefully of course, in case there comes a time when we wish a grievance addressed. I believe this was very important, and it has protected the rights of american citizens for years. Freedom of speech is important, and our founders made sure it was protected very well. Every person has the right to peacefully speak out against wrongs, whether it is given to them or not.
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