All posts tagged: press freedom.

At least five journalists arrested at Palestine Action protest

At least five journalists arrested at Palestine Action protest

Published by Sam Flores

Two policemen escorting a man wearing handcuffs. Picture: Leicester Gazette At least five journalists were briefly arrested while covering a pro-Palestine Action protest in Leicester on Thursday. The journalists arrested included two reporters for local publication Leicester Gazette and three freelance photojournalists. They were held on the scene for around two hours by Leicestershire Police before being de-arrested. Some 35 protesters were arrested and taken into custody after gathering outside a drone factory owned by Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems in the Meridian Business Park, Braunstone. They have since been released on bail. The journalists were caught up as everyone at the scene was arrested and only allowed to leave after they shared identifying details to prove they were there in their capacity as journalists. The arrests, including those made of the journalists, came under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000, which makes it an offence to wear clothing or display an article in a way that arouses reasonable suspicion that a person is a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation. Palestine Action …

Norwegian journalist says Meta suspended her accounts after challenging Modi

Norwegian journalist says Meta suspended her accounts after challenging Modi

Published by Sam Flores

A Norwegian journalist who publicly challenged Narendra Modi over press freedom in India during his visit to Oslo has claimed that her Instagram and Facebook accounts were suspended days after the exchange triggered a political controversy. Helle Lyng, an Oslo-based reporter with the newspaper Dagsavisen, said on Wednesday that she had been locked out of both Meta-owned platforms following a wave of attention surrounding her questioning of the Indian prime minister and senior diplomats. “If you’re trying to reach me on Instagram or Facebook, I would like to let you know I have been suspended from both accounts. I have wanted to respond to as many Indians as possible, but my responses will now be delayed. I hope I will get my accounts back,” she wrote on X, tagging Meta. The company has not publicly commented on the suspensions or provided a reason for the accounts being disabled. The Independent has reached out seeking a comment from the social media giant. The dispute began earlier this week during a joint appearance in Oslo by Mr …

Fresh nightmare for Keir Starmer as Labour minister faces ethics probe | Politics | News

Fresh nightmare for Keir Starmer as Labour minister faces ethics probe | Politics | News

Published by Sam Flores

A minister is being investigated by the Prime Minister’s ethics watchdog in the latest blow to Sir Keir Starmer. Cabinet Office minister Josh Simons is facing allegations that a prominent Labour think tank, which he ran before entering government, paid for a probe into journalists. Labour Together is accused of paying PR firm Apco Worldwide £36,000 to look into the background of journalists who covered the campaign group’s failure to declare more than £700,000 in donations. Mr Simons, the Labour MP for Makerfield, has faced calls to resign from his ministerial post over the claims. The issue has been referred to independent adviser on ministerial standards Sir Laurie Magnus, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones said. Mr Jones told the Commons that Sir Keir had asked civil servants in the Cabinet Office’s propriety and ethics team to establish the facts regarding Mr Simons’ time at Labour Together. He continued: “That work has now concluded and the facts have been reported to the Prime Minister. “The Prime Minister has been advised that the matter …