Charlie Alford

National threats bill clears Parliament amid criticism, awaits Royal Assent

Post author:The Canary
Post published:8 July 2026
Post last modified:9 July 2026

The National Security (State Threats) Bill has completed its passage through Parliament and now awaits Royal Assent. Lords amendments to protect humanitarian workers and journalists from its new offences were accepted, providing some relief, but most criticisms against the Bill still stand. Sarah Champion MP, from the International Development Committee, welcomed the Government’s decision to introduce express defences for humanitarian organisations but expressed regret that ministers stopped short of a full exemption. Johnson and Corbyn raised concerns about journalists Kim Johnson (Labour) and Jeremy Corbyn (Your Party) raised significant concerns about the legislation’s potential impact on journalists in the final debate…

Society of Editors warns journalists at risk from state threats bill

Post author:The Canary
Post published:30 June 2026
Post last modified:30 June 2026

Journalists need stronger legal protections under the National Security (State Threats) Bill, the Society of Editors has warned. The calls follow concerns raised in the Guardian about British foreign correspondents, who could be at risk of prosecution if they use sources “within state-backed groups”. Members of the House of Lords were expected to finish scrutinising the bill today. British foreign correspondents could be at risk of prosecution if they use sources within state-backed groups in countries such as Iran under national security legislation being rushed through parliament this week. David Anderson, a former UK independent reviewer of terrorism… — Pippa Crerar…

£55k and a hamster — Ofcom threats to US firm trigger hilarious responses

Post author:Skwawkbox
Post published:25 June 2026
Post last modified:25 June 2026

The UK’s ‘Online Safety Act‘ (OSA) is widely recognised to be more about keeping UK people from finding out things the UK government wants to keep from them, than any idea of actual online safety. Just like Keir Starmer’s new social media ban on under-16s. That will make kids less safe — but might make it harder for them to learn about Israel’s horrific crimes (if they’re technologically inept). But the overreach of the UK government and its ‘independent’ regulator, ofcom, thinking they can control what organisations in other countries do has led to some unintentional hilarity. £55k and a hamster…

Euro-Med Monitor closes offices after threats by Israeli occupation

Post author:Charlie Jaay
Post published:20 June 2026
Post last modified:20 June 2026

After 15 years of carrying out essential fieldwork in the Strip, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor (Euro-Med Monitor) has closed its Gaza office. Precautionary measures in place The decision was taken as a precautionary measure, in response to recent Israeli occupation threats, smear campaigns, and actions targeting the organisation and its staff. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor (@euromedhr) Maha Hussaini, Euro-Med Monitor’s head of media, manages the Gaza office. Herself and her Gaza team have received threats, including death threats via social media and phone calls. There have also been multiple hacking attempts of…

Palestinian farmer defies eviction threats

Post author:Charlie Jaay
Post published:27 May 2026
Post last modified:8 June 2026

Ayoub Abuhejleh, a 57-year-old Palestinian farmer from the village of Deir Istiya, occupied West Bank, is on a horticultural crusade through his work with the Economic and Social Development Centre of Palestine. Abuhejleh, who is also the village’s former mayor (2011 – 2014) has swapped his suit for farming tools adamant to stay put on his land. Farmer ordered to leave his farmland Since 2023, Abuhejleh has planted 370 olive trees, as well as almonds, figs, and grapes. “I’ve raised these olive trees as my own children,” he tells the Canary. These plants and trees line the agricultural road leading to…