Only two decades ago, the Czech Republic shook off the shackles of authoritarianism and planted the seeds of a vibrant democracy. The Velvet Revolution’s leader Vaclav Havel spoke of the “power of the powerless,” explaining how, in a society ruled by lies, truth gains a "singular, explosive, incalculable political power." Although Havel recently passed away, his powerful memory lives on, strong and steady, as made clear at a recent Google-and Open Society Fund sponsored event in Prague. A group of top ranking Czech editors met in the cozy Bar and Books to discuss the topic, “The End of Free Media.” here .Freedom Online alliance . This December, Prague joined other European allies, in rejecting an International Telecommunications Union treaty that could open the door to authoritarian control of the Net. Otevrete to encourage the government to allow access to taxpayer-funded data. Other organizations such as Transitions monitors regional trends in press freedom, while the Pasos think tank regroups 56 organizations around the region, united to promote democracy and human rights. Apologies to the NGOs omitted here for reasons of space. Posted by William Echikson, Head of Free Expression, Europe, Middle East and Africa
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