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VIDEO: ISOC Chile – Gobernanza de Plataformas Digitales y nuevos desafíos para la Libertad de Expresión

El 6 de mayo de 2025, la Internet Society – Capítulo Chile, en colaboración con UNESCO – Chile y el Núcleo Transdisciplinario de Regulación de la Convergencia Digital, celebró el 32° Aniversario del Día Mundial de la Libertad de Prensa de la UNESCO (3 de mayo) con el evento “Gobernanza de Plataformas

isoc.live/19284/

Continued thread

“Across our history, there have been dark chapters where state #power has been #weaponized & #dissent suppressed, including the crackdown during & after WWI, the #RedScare of the 1950s, & President Richard #Nixon’s ‘enemies list.’ These episodes are now seen as shameful deviations from the fundamental American principles of #FreeExpression & impartial #justice. The April 9 presidential memoranda are an appalling rejection of those bedrock democratic values.“
#RevengePolitics #AbuseOfPower #Trump

#RepublicOfGeorgia: New legislation directly threatens people's right to #protest and #FreeExpression

In a troubling shift toward #authoritarian governance, Georgia’s ruling party has enacted legislative reforms that drastically restrict freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and proposed changes to restrict #media, public participation.

February 10, 2025

"The key changes obstructing people’s right to protest include:

- Expanded organisers' liability;
- Restrictions on spontaneous protests;
- Limitations on protests in enclosed spaces: Protests in closed spaces or buildings now require written consent from the property owner, significantly restricting #student and #workplace #demonstrations. This provision appears to be a direct response to recent protests on #UniversityCampuses;
- Expanded penalties for protest-related offenses: Petty #hooliganism fines have risen from GEL 500-1,000 to GEL 500-2,000 (from maximum approximately 350-700 EUR) , with imprisonment now up to 20 days instead of 15. Verbal insults towards #PoliceOfficers now carry fines of GEL 2,000 5,000 (approx. 700-1750 EUR) or up to 60 days’ imprisonment. Repeat offenses can result in a GEL 3,500-6,000 ( 1200–2100 EUR) fine and extended jail terms. Additionally, individuals accused of "disrupting public order" face severe criminal penalties, including up to 3 years in prison;
- New restrictions on symbolic protest actions: Covering one's face, possessing a laser or light-emitting device, or wearing clothing resembling police or military uniforms during assemblies are now punishable by fines of GEL 2,000 ( 700 EUR) or imprisonment up to 7 days. Such measures are expected to disproportionately impact younger protesters and student-led movements;
- #Broadened law enforcement powers: The Ministry of Internal Affairs now holds increased authority over protest regulation, including the power to block protests that allegedly threaten public order or constitutional stability. Authorities can now use '#EmergencyMeasures' to disperse gatherings, including mass #arrests and prolonged #detentions;
- Increased state control over protest logistics: Protesters are now required to ensure that demonstrations do not obstruct transportation routes. Organisers must take action within 15 minutes of a warning to remove roadblocks or temporary structures, failing which they will face criminal liability;
- Participation in protests previously dispersed by law enforcement is now classified as an offense, subjecting #demonstrators to legal consequences.

"Given that the median salary in Georgia in 2023 was GEL 1,238 (approximately 400 EUR), these fines represent a disproportionate financial burden on protesters, effectively discouraging civic engagement and public demonstrations."

Read more:
csometer.info/updates/georgia-

#RightToProtest #AntiProtestLaws
#GeorgianLaws #CriminalizingDissent #CriminalizingProtest #HumanRights #RepublicOfGeorgia #GeorgianDream #FaceMasks #AntiMaskLaws #ProtestSponsors #ACAB #ExpandedPolicePowers #PoliceState #Authoritarianism #Fascism

CSOMETERGeorgia: New legislation directly threatens people's right to protest and free expressionIn a troubling shift toward authoritarian governance, Georgia’s ruling party has enacted legislative reforms that drastically restrict freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and proposed changes to restrict media, public participation.

Friendly reminder...

You can report censorship and attacks on your local library by right wing trolls here:

ala.org/tools/challengesupport

Here is a list of organizations that may also be able to help you/your community save programs and materials from the chopping block:

Freedom to Read Foundation
Little Free Library
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
EveryLibrary Institute
PEN America
American Booksellers for Free Expression
The National Coalition Against Censorship

..........

Contact orgs that want to help. Archive media and information you enjoy or care about whenever you can.

#Freedom #FreeThought #FreeExpression #Save #Archive #FreedomtoRead #Fight #erasure and #revision.

www.ala.orgChallenge SupportThe ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom provides confidential support during censorship challenges to library materials, services, and programs. Anyone can report censorship, even if they do not require assistance.