Control Culture
New EU whistleblower legislation launching next week – but some distance to safe harbour
Update, 06/02/2019. Sometimes, truth needs friends – the latest EU Greens/EFA whistleblower-protection campaign as the EU legislation grinds its way through the EU Council and Parliament. See: Brussels, 18/04/2018. The European Commission is expected to propose a new EU-wide whistleblower-protection law within the week. The proposed regulation is an attempt […]
Short Shorts
– being a compilation of instant, sometimes off-the-cuff reactions to day-to-day events …… Darwin’s Law in action – diesel drivers 11/11/2019. It’s been a while since I posted here (clearly), but I couldn’t help but be amused by something I saw today. Young woman driver, I estimate in […]
The Control Culture
A selection of articles that illustrate the pre-occupation of governments with monitoring and controlling their citizens. Because there are some, apparently, who do not believe in the freedom of the press. 2019 08/02/2019. This week an EU ‘Big Brother’ administration became almost inevitable 17/01/2019. Where is George? […]
Whistleblowers in the EU need protection
“Besides journalists’ legal protections, equivalent protections should be extended to the people who risk their livelihoods, and lives, to bring this information to light in the first place,” wrote Lauren Kirchner, reporting on Columbia Journalism Schools’ seminar “Journalism after Snowden” in January 2014. See this piece […]
European Parliament calls for Edward Snowden to be protected from extradition
Brussels, 29/10/2015. European Parliament MEPs today called on EU member states to “drop any criminal charges against Edward Snowden, grant him protection and consequently prevent extradition or rendition by third parties.” The call, carried by a narrow margin (285 to 281), is stated as “in recognition of his status as […]
Safe Harbour must be suspended and replaced – European Parliament
Brussels, 06/10/2016. Europe must immediately suspend the ‘Safe Harbour’ data agreement with the US and initiate a new, more ‘solid’ data-protection framework, says the Chair of the European Parliament’s LIBE civil liberties Committee Claude Moraes. His statement follows the latest ruling from the European Court of Justice in the case […]
Tales …
Or take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing, end them …
Tales from a Brussels bar – Brexit 3 The bar was quieter tonight. The usual suspects were there – we had planned to discuss Brexit again. But no-one wanted to tallk about it immediately – Maj and co. had gone off to play darts, others […]
Whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of European fortune, or …
Tales from a Brussels bar – Brexit 2 Stassos was quoting Shakespeare, but in slightly modified form. “Whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of European fortune – or to take arms … that’s what you want to do.” He was explaining why he’d suddenly […]
To Brexit or not to Brexit – that is the question
Tales from a Brussels bar – Brexit 1 It was a fine Spring evening in Brussels, the sun lingering on the pavements – quite the best time of the year in the city. Steve the Bar had put a couple of barrels and stools outside, allowing some of the shyer […]
Recent posts
2020 – and back in the UK
Devastating long-term impact on health of living near busy main roads – new report
Climate emergency? The insects went first …
Brexit Shorts
South-East Burn Up – London to Brighton in extended company
Biased programme content does not a good broadcaster make
Jan Kiepura opera festival, Krynica
Prescott Hill Climb – a bikers’ day out with a difference
