Stories about Censorship from September, 2016
In Tanzania, Expressing Political Opinions on Social Media is Becoming Increasingly Dangerous
Since President John Magufuli won the presidential election in October 2015, 14 people have already being arrested and charged for insulting the president on social media.
Jordanian Authorities Impose Media Gag After Writer's Killing
Jordanian authorities have banned media coverage of the assassination of Nahed Hattar, a writer who was shot dead on September 25 by a gunman in the capital Amman.
This Soviet Cartoon Was Too Much for Romania’s Communist Censors
According to the documentary "Chuck Norris vs Communism," Romania's state censorship board actually banned scenes from an episode of the classic Soviet cartoon "Nu Pogodi."
Netizen Report: Internet Shutdowns Are Ever-Present in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula
While telecommunications cuts continue in North Sinai, Russians contemplate a porn-free Internet and a Kuwaiti royal faces jail time for insulting the emir on Snapchat.
The UAE Has Avoided an ‘Arab Spring’ by Systematically Repressing Critical Speech
Wary of an Arab-Spring like uprising within its borders, the UAE government launched an unprecedented crackdown on critics and activists.
He Supported Bombing Syria a Little Too Eagerly, Now RuNet Pioneer Faces Prison
Anton Nossik faces two years in a penal colony for saying that Syria should be "Wiped from the Face of the Earth."
That Time Russia Banned Online Porn (Again)
The two pornographic metropolises of the Internet, PornHub and YouPorn, were banned in Russia this week. ISPs are required to comply with the ban within 24 hours.
Netizen Report: In Cuba, Text Messages With Controversial Content Are Disappearing
Journalist repression is on the rise in Cuba, Saudi bans LINE, and Russian authorities jail gamer for offending religious people, Pokemon-style.
Ghanaian President Vows Not to Shut Down Social Media During Elections
Ghanaian president John Mahama has assured the nation that social media will not be shut down during elections due to take place on December 7.
Ukrainian Ministry of Information Policy Thanks Facebook Bots for Their Hard Work
The Facebook bot war between Ukraine and Russia rages on. Will the Russian government find a way to crack down on spammers?
Chinese Police Violently Crack Down on Protests Against an Elected Village Leader's Imprisonment
Residents believe Lin Zuluan was forced into confessing that he took a bribe because he had planned to protest land seizures taking place without the village's consent.
Kashmir: Where ‘Digital India’ Ends
Two months without internet is a long time. For Kashmiris, rather than a security measure, it feels more like collective punishment.
Netizen Report: With Gabon's Internet Shutdown, Activists Confront Challenges of Circumventing Censorship
Bhutan makes headlines in Facebook defamation case, Paraguay uses censorship to protect children from the Internet, and Iran enters talks with French telco Orange.
Angered by Mobile App Censorship, Saudis Ask: ‘What's the Point of Having Internet?’
Saudi Arabia, which already blocks WhatsApp, Viber and Skype, has angered users by blocking the messaging and voice calling app LINE.
Cuban Journalist and LGBT Activist Sacked for Working With Non-State Media
"It doesn’t matter where you publish, even if it’s just on your blog. We will always be reading what you write."
Turkish Academicians Call for Solidarity Amid Post-Coup Attempt Witch Hunt
"I believe a denunciation mechanism is in action. Everyone is trying to take advantage of the current atmosphere to reinforce their power."
Indians Ask: Is Visiting a Torrent Site Really A Crime?
"Thousands of cases pending, criminals roaming scott free. That's fine. Lets arrest people who download #torrents"
Iran Declares ‘Unveiling’ of Its National Intranet
Iran declared a grand "unveiling" of its national internet. But what's really new here? We analyze the project and the government performance around its so-called "unveiling".
‘Spy’ Trial Against Macedonian Journalist Is Postponed Amid Calls for His Release
"Such cases are intended to punish the disobedient journalists and intimidate and discipline the others."