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New UAE anti-discrimination law to stifle free speech? Human rights organizations fear the worst
The United Arab Emirates has issued a broad law that criminalizes any act that was deemed to fuel discrimination based on religion, race or ethnic origin, media outlets reported Monday. Human rights organizations fear the new law will be used to stifle free speech rather than simply stamp out extremism and discrimination.  IB TIMES

Myanmar court fines 2 newspaper editors for publishing interview that insulted president
A Myanmar court on Tuesday fined two editors of a weekly newspaper 1 million kyat ($809) each after finding them guilty of violating the country’s media law by insulting the president. The case was one of several seen by press freedom advocates as an effort to intimidate the media ahead of a general election scheduled for November.  ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pakistan is spying on its citizens, says report by British NGO
In 2013, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence commissioned a major surveillance system that taps into three international under-sea cables affecting communications of its citizens and also the neighbouring countries whose communications pass through its borders, according to the findings of a report published by the British NGO, Privacy International.  SCROLL.IN

Armenia: Journalist prosecuted for refusing to reveal her source
Kristine Khanumian, the editor of the news website Ilur.am, has been charged with refusing to comply with a court order to reveal her source for a report about a case of police abuse in June 2014.  REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS

Washington Post reporter’s trial in Iran likely ending next week: lawyer
The lawyer of a Washington Post journalist detained in Iran said Monday that the next hearing in his espionage trial likely will be the last, though she’s still uncertain when that will be.  ASSOCIATED PRESS

C-51 sees charter challenge from civil liberties, press freedom advocates
In a joint statement, both the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and Canadian Journalists for Free Expression say sections of Bill C-51 violate the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms “in a manner that is not justified in a free and democratic society.”  THE CANADIAN PRESS