The Samoa Observer Newspaper has filed a statement of defense against a $700,000 lawsuit for defamation brought against it by former EFKS Reverend Opapo Soanai Oeti and his daughter, Toaipuapuaga (Toa) Patrick. The matter was called before the Supreme Court last week. The lawsuit for defamation concerns the publication by the Samoa Observer of a Read more
The Human Rights Commission says it does not want a change to hate speech laws – as high-profile New Zealanders warn freedom of speech is under threat in the country’s universities. Human Rights Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy this year called for politicians and others to address hate speech, saying “we need people at the very Read more
Last month a federal court ruled the New York state Department of Motor Vehicles had the right ban a Choose Life specialty plate. The DMV rejected the Children First Foundation’s plate back in 2002, saying it was the state’s “policy not to promote or display politically sensitive messages” on its license plates. The group has Read more
Malaysia should reverse a ban on a Christian newspaper using the word “Allah” to refer to God, Reuters quoted a UN official as saying on Monday about a decision that fanned religious tension in the mainly Muslim country. Malaysia’s second highest court ruled in October that the Catholic newspaper, the Herald, could not use the Read more
The People’s Court in Ho Chi Minh City sentenced three Christian bloggers on Monday in a case that has drawn international criticism. A report by UCA News said the bloggers were charged with spreading anti-government propaganda under Article 88 of the country’s criminal code. The three are founding members of the Free Journalist Club, an Read more