Secularism in the media

'Is Scotland’s Hate Speech Bill so bad?'

In this podcast The Critic's Deputy Political Editor discusses the new hate crime legislation with Jamie Gillies of the Free to Disagree Campaign, and political campaigner Brian Monteith.

The Critic

'Humza Yousaf must wake up to the risks of his hate crime bill'

"Mr Yousaf insists his legislation will not harm freedom of expression. I wish I believed him."

The Times (£)

'Nobody should need "consent" to seek support after sexual abuse'

Criticism of failed practices in religious communities should be regarded as both healthy and necessary to protect children, says Yehudis Fletcher.

Jewish News

'We need reform for more effective child protection'

Safeguarding standards need to be externally regulated to ensure we don't prioritise an institution over its members, says Yehudis Goldsobel.

Jewish News

'Church of England safeguarding concerns'

The Church of England's governing body, the Archbishops' Council, has been reported to the head of the Charity Commission for its failure 'to devise a safe, consistent and fair system of redress for victims of abuse.' Donna Birrell reports on the letter and hears from two of the signatories. (From 31:17)

BBC Radio 4

Pressure on Bishop of Huddersfield over lack of action on church sex abuse

The CofE's lead safeguarding bishop has acknowledged that the Church has failed victims and survivors of abuse in the past and needs to take responsibility for that.

Yorkshire Live

Germany: Series of crashes on major Berlin road an 'Islamist extremist attack'

A series of crashes caused by a 30-year-old Iraqi man on a major road in Berlin was an Islamist extremist attack, German prosecutors have said.

Sky News

Nigeria: Wife of atheist arrested four months ago for 'blasphemy' speaks out

In this interview the wife of Mubarak Bala tells of how the police in Kano State have detained her husband for four months without revealing his location.

Punch

Millions of women lose access to contraception and abortions amid coronavirus crisis

Millions of women and girls around the world have been left unable to access contraception and abortions amid the coronavirus crisis, a new report has found.

The Independent

Celebrities sign letter supporting Poland's LGBT+ rights

Dozens of celebrities including Pedro Almodovar, Margaret Atwood and Isabelle Huppert have signed an open letter expressing outrage at the Polish government's "repressions" against the LGBT+ community.

Euronews

secularism.org.uk

Challenging Religious Privilege

Your daily media briefing - Thursday 20 August