Stories about Censorship from February, 2015
Imported Bollywood Films Have Become Quite a Drama in Bangladesh
Popular Bangladeshi actor Shakib Khan joined protests against Indian movies being screened, arguing it would hurt the country's struggling film industry. Film distributors and cinema owners then banned his films.
Belarus Bans Tor and Other Anonymizers
Belarus is banning anonymizers, typically used to circumvent government censorship and reach online resources banned inside the country, including many of the opposition websites.
US Government Eases Sanctions to Allow Export of Personal Communications Tools to Sudan
The US government has issued a general license amending sanctions on Sudan to allow the export of certain personal communications technologies.
Banned From Filmmaking, This Iranian Director Ignored His Government—and It's Paying Off
In 2010, the Iranian government slapped filmmaker barred Jafar Panahi from filmmaking for 20 years. Panahi has defied the ban, going on to win Berlin International Film Festival's Golden Bear.
Ali Abdulemam: ‘I Have Not Lost My Identity. I Am Bahraini.’
In late January, the government of Bahrain revoked the citizenship of blogger Ali Abdulemam, along with that of 71 other Bahrainis, many of them journalists and activists.
New Minister Threatens to Shut Down Zambian Independent News Site
The site has been blocked within Zambia on numerous occasions, and reporters have been arrested because of suspected associations with the website.
Bangladeshi Publisher Faces Death Threats Over Translation of Controversial Iranian Writer's Book
Riaz Khan pulled the Bangla translation of "23 Years: A Study of the Prophetic Career of Muhammad" after its publication sparked outrage from hardline religious groups, but the threats continue.
Ukrainian MP Pushes for Carbon Copy Of Russian Blogger Law, Meets Resistance
A member of the Ukrainian parliament suggested bloggers in Ukraine should be required to verify information in their posts and disclose their personal data to the authorities.
Emerging Threats in Cybersecurity Legislation in Africa
Access, an international human rights organization is troubles by emerging threats in cybersecurity and data protection in Africa. Ephraim Kenyanitto explains: The Convention was originally scheduled to pass in January 2014, but was delayed for modifications after protests by the private sector, civil society organizations, and privacy experts—all of whom...
Wave of Arrests in France for ‘Advocating Terrorism’ After Charlie Hebdo Attack
Over 100 criminal charges have been filed for "terrorism advocacy" since the attacks, occasionally against minors, oftentimes for reasons that have little to do with the true fight against terrorism.
The Western Hemisphere's Deadliest Country for Journalists
Mexico received the second lowest ranking (after Cuba) in the Americas on the World Press Freedom Index for in 2014.
Russia Says You Can't Mention Ukrainian Nationalists, Unless You Say They're Bad
One permitted way to mention such organizations it to do so "in a negative light, ascribing them characteristics like 'radical,' 'extremist,' or 'nationalist.'"
In Putin's Russia, a Retweet Can Lead to a Jail Term
Even a retweet of an image or a republished post may cost Russian citizens unfettered access to the Internet—and often, their freedom.
RuNet Watchdog ‘Baffled’ by Twitter's Refusal to Block Kremlin's Opponents
Alexandr Zharov, head of Roscomnadzor, told journalists that Twitter "has consistently refused to adhere to the demands of Russian legislation, including those aimed at combatting extremism."
Bahrain Shuts Down Al Arab TV, Saying it Does Not Have “Necessary Permits” to Operate
Bahrain today officially announced the suspension of Al Arab satellite channel, which went off air hours it was launched, nine days ago. Netizens lament free speech in the country.
Ukraine Arrests Journalist on Treason Charges for Calls to Boycott Mobilization
Ukrainian journalist Ruslan Kotsaba called for boycotting the latest wave of military mobilization in Ukraine—and now faces treason charges. Is he really a traitor? Internet opinion is divided.
‘We Need to Be Careful Even of What We Think': Self-Censorship in Venezuela
"Since the start of the protests, I had been mapping online censorship and helping people use encrypted communication tools. When the police came, I got up, scared to the bone."
Serbia's Prime Minister Drags Investigative Journalists Through the Mud Over Corruption Article
After an in-depth investigative piece about a murky public procurement was published, Serbian PM Vučić and pro-government media have launched a negative campaign against an investigative journalist network in Serbia.
Mumbai Newspaper Editor Fired, Arrested for Republishing Charlie Hebdo Cartoon
Shirin Dalvi is accused of hurting religious sentiments. She says printing the cartoon was an honest mistake, but that no one is listening to her side of the story.
The Collapse of Media Freedom in Bulgaria
Bulgaria has slid in international press freedom rankings, and corruption and lack of transparency plague the country's media sector.
The Macedonian Government Clamps Down on Filming Protests With Drones
Drone-made videos and photos were instrumental in demonstrating the size of a recent massive student protest, which has been called the largest student protest in Macedonia since independence.
