CNN Promotes Sharia Blasphemy Laws (Alisyn Camerota vs. Pamela Geller)

Following the recent shooting at a Muhammad cartoon contest in Garland, Texas, media attention has once again focused on Islam and the First Amendment. In a discussion with Pamela Geller, CNN news anchor Alisyn Camerota noted the "fine line" between free speech and provocative speech. She went on to say that there should be a debate about the line between free speech and provocative speech. Apparently, CNN agrees with proponents of Sharia that criticizing Islam is beyond the scope of free speech (despite Camerota's claims to the contrary).

Robert Spencer and David Wood on the International Push for Blasphemy Laws

HT: Robert @ Jihad Watch »

Anti-blasphemy Law Sharply Debated at UN
On the opening day of the General Assembly, the diplomatic discourse at the United Nations reflected the anger of the Muslim street over the release of an anti-Islam video in the United States. It is sparking debate about how tightly should religious sensitivities be protected, or be made illegal. Al Jazeera's Kristen Saloomey reports from New York.

Pakistan Governor Assassinated Over Blasphemy Laws Campaign
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: One of Pakistan's most outspoken politicians was shot dead in Islamabad on Tuesday by one of his own guards in a killing that police are linking to his controversial campaign to reform the country's blasphemy laws.

Witnesses said Salman Taseer, 56, the governor of Punjab province, was killed by a gunman in a police uniform at a small market close to his home in the capital.

His death is the most high-profile political assassination since the murder of Benazir Bhutto, the former prime minister, in December 2007.

Last night the government appealed for calm as members of Taseer's Pakistan People's Party staged demonstrations in the Punjab city of Multan.

The country's government is already on the brink of collapse, following the defection of a key coalition ally, and further unrest would deepen the sense of political crisis.

Eyewitnesses said Taseer was a familiar figure at Kohsar Market, an arcade popular with expat aid workers, diplomats and journalists. >>> Rob Crilly, Islamabad | Tuesday, January 04, 2011

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Backs Attempt to Abolish Blasphemy Laws
THE TELEGRAPH: Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, is backing a new cross-party attempt by MPs to abolish Britain's blasphemy laws, The Daily Telegraph can reveal.

Lord Carey argues that the existing legal protections for Anglican Christianity are outdated and should be abolished. The move, supported by a former bishop as well as writers, academics, campaigners and comedians, comes in the wake of the diplomatic row over Sudan's jailing of a British teacher who blasphemed against Islam.

Gillian Gibbons was jailed after allowing schoolchildren to name a teddybear after the prophet Mohammed. She was later pardoned after diplomatic protests from Britain.

In the Commons tomorrow, MPs will debate an amendment to the current Criminal Justice Bill that would effectively abolish existing legal protections for Anglican Christianity. Lord Carey backs MPs over blasphemy laws >>> By James Kirkup

Mark Alexander (Paperback)
Mark Alexander (Hardback)