News Updates for 16 March
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine claims the lives of international journalists, more threats to reporting in Turkey and Albania and anticorruption reforms mooted in Bulgaria and the UK
EU finalises digital rights legislation to counter influence of Big Tech
The targets of the legislation are primarily the major American-based companies including Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Amazon and Twitter, who dominate the online space
Russian independent media shut down for telling the truth about Ukraine invasion
The past 48 hours has seen the closure of most of what remains of the Russia’s independent media
ENRC slapped down in Kleptopia case
Serial SLAPP litigants have their libel case against Tom Burgis and HarperCollins dismissed in the High Court
Civil Society calls out Kleptopia SLAPP
14 organisations, including Blueprint condemn the suits initiated Tom Burgis and his publishers by serial SLAPP litigant ENRC
Suisse Secrets: Credit Suisse's dubious client list opened for scrutiny
A major leak of account data from Credit Suisse demonstrates systematic compliance failures at Switzerland's second largest bank
South African SLAPP case reaches constitutional court
Long-running case against environmental activists could affirm an anti-SLAPP precedent of international importance
European institutions step up pressure for anti-SLAPP measures
Europe is inching towards binding action against nuisance lawsuits
LuxLeaks back in court as Halet case reaches Grand Chamber
Blueprint for Free Speech, in collaboration with a number of whistleblower protection, tax justice and freedom of expression organisations, has submitted a third party intervention in support of Halet
Australian Border Forces Seize Computers, Phones and Passwords
ABF officers have the authority to search Australian citizens’ electronic devices at the border, and little is known about how these powers are being used
Assange Case set for Supreme Court Appeal
Julian Assange has been given the go-ahead to make an application to appeal his extradition to the United States at Britain’s Supreme Court
Zondo Report Highlights Whistleblowers’ Role in Revealing South African Corruption
The first part of the South Africa’s major public inquiry recognises the role played by whistleblowers in revealing state capture and recommends better protections