AI endorses torture; Sarah Palin goes green; Index on Censorship self-censors. Spot the real one.… Read the rest
All entries by this author
Amnesty International on Victims of Trafigura
Dec 20th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonIn August 2006, toxic waste was brought to Abidjan on a ship chartered by Trafigura. … Read the rest
The self-fulfilling prophecy strikes again
Dec 19th, 2009 12:46 pm | By Ophelia BensonJonathan Dimbleby said one particularly odd thing in his explanation of Index’s decision.
When John Kampfner alerted me to the prospective publication of an interview with Jytte Klausen and to our editor’s wish to illustrate it with the “offending” cartoons, it was plainly a matter for the board to determine. Any other course would have been irresponsible…A year earlier, in September 2008, four men had been arrested for allegedly fire-bombing the North London home of the publisher of Gibson Books who had proposed publishing The Jewel of Medina. Only the most cavalier attitude towards the safety and security of those directly and indirectly involved in the publication of the Index interview would have failed to note that outrage.
Wait…what? … Read the rest
New Humanist on Censorship Row at Index
Dec 19th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonIf Index won’t take a stand against implied threats for perfectly legitimate acts, who will?… Read the rest
The Spittoon on Index on Self-Censorship
Dec 19th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonA free speech organization censoring itself on an issue over which it has been highly critical of other organizations.… Read the rest
Harry’s Place on Index on Censorship
Dec 19th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonYou would expect Index on Censorship to oppose censorship, and stand up for freedom of expression.… Read the rest
Sherry Jones on Index on Censorship
Dec 19th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonShe knows what it’s like.… Read the rest
Ratzinger Keeps Head Down
Dec 19th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonWill visit UK but sleep in garden shed. No plans to visit Ireland and apologize.… Read the rest
Vatican’s Response is ‘Wholly Inadequate’
Dec 19th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonVictims’ group says Irish bishops ‘display a contemptible level of arrogance and an inappropriate lack of humility.’… Read the rest
Index on Censorship censors Index on Censorship
Dec 18th, 2009 1:06 pm | By Ophelia BensonSo Index on Censorship runs an interview in which Jo Glanville talks to Jytte Klausen about Yale University Press’s refusal to publish the Motoons in Klausen’s book on…the Motoons.
Not only were the cartoons removed from the book, but historic illustrations of Mohammed that Klausen had wanted to include to illustrate her thesis were also omitted. When the story leaked to the American press last summer, Yale was widely criticised for undermining academic freedom. Christopher Hitchens described it as “the latest and perhaps the worst episode in the steady surrender to religious extremism”.
Klausen points out that the cartoons were necessary for what she was attempting to do in the book.
… Read the restIn the book, and it was written with this
Hitchens on Sarah Palin and Demagogy
Dec 18th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonShe throws mud one day then the next day pretends she didn’t.… Read the rest
BBC Settles Trafigura Libel Case
Dec 18th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe BBC’s decision to settle caused dismay among some journalistic staff today.… Read the rest
Nick Cohen on the Issue-avoiding Thriller
Dec 18th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘Spooks’ goes after Greens, Jews, Hindus – it’ll be Quakers and Buddhists next. Meanwhile…… Read the rest
Jonathan Dimbleby Explains Index’s Decision
Dec 18th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe interview is not about the cartoons but their censorship, so it’s ok to censor the cartoons again.… Read the rest
Kenan Malik on Index on Censorship’s Decision
Dec 18th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonIn refusing to publish the cartoons, Index is not only helping strengthen the culture of censorship, it is also weakening its authority to challenge that culture. … Read the rest
Index on Censorship Talks to Jytte Klausen
Dec 18th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonAbout censorship of the Motoons – which Index on Censorship itself decides not to publish.… Read the rest
Ratzinger has some nerve
Dec 17th, 2009 5:47 pm | By Ophelia BensonRemember how the pope let us know how simply terrible he felt about what happened to those poor dear innocent children in Ireland? Remember how the Vatican said he shared the outrage, betrayal and shame felt by so many of the faithful in Ireland? Well, if that’s true, how does he explain an order he issued in 2001?
… Read the rest…an order ensuring the church’s investigations into child sex abuse claims be carried out in secret. The order was made in a confidential letter, obtained by The Observer, which was sent to every Catholic bishop in May 2001. It asserted the church’s right to hold its inquiries behind closed doors and keep the evidence confidential for up to 10 years
Jesus and Mo Complain of Aggressive Secularism
Dec 17th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonBarmaid offers sound advice.… Read the rest
Why Lieberman is so Vain and Petulant
Dec 17th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonJust one of those things.… Read the rest
Opponents of Assisted Suicide Are in Minority
Dec 17th, 2009 | Filed by Ophelia BensonAnd religious, and imposing their religion on everyone else.… Read the rest