Stories about Censorship from May, 2020
Foreign Correspondent's Club of Japan accused of censorship after taking down Tokyo Olympics parody
The April issue of the club's magazine featured the Tokyo Olympics' emblem depicted in the shape of a coronavirus, which reportedly prompted copyright complaints from the Olympic Organising Committee.
Uyghur human rights advocate Dilnur Reyhan laments lack of Muslim solidarity
Hatred against the West has blinded ordinary Muslim citizens to the point of refusing to believe news brought by the Western media, even when it concerns concentration camps for Muslims
From counterterrorism to counter-COVID-19, governments use crises to impose continuous states of emergency in the Middle East
Middle East & North Africa22 May 2020Fighting terrorism used to be the umbrella under which states of emergency were justified in the Middle East. Now, COVID-19 serves as a new justification for sweeping powers.
In Algeria, online repression targets Amazigh protesters active in Hirak movement
Middle East & North Africa19 May 2020In Algeria, the Amazigh people are often associated with France, Algeria's former colonial power. Racial slurs online accuse this group of being separatists who threaten "national unity."
Women journalists in Uganda carry ‘double burden’ with online attacks and harassment
Sub-Saharan Africa15 May 2020Women journalists in Uganda carry the double burden of gender-based abuse online and potential threats related to political reporting. These threats have led women journalists to withdraw from public discourse.
Monumental differences: Prague, Moscow trade barbs over World War Two
"Did in fact all Czechs then realize what kind of Russians saved their city?"
Honduran congresswoman claims she was blocked from virtual plenary session
Latin America12 May 2020In times of COVID-19 and confinement, the use of technology that replaces in-person meetings could undermine democratic processes, through sheer inefficiency or by malice.
In Bangladesh, criticism of government response to the COVID-19 pandemic is risky
South Asia11 May 2020"Would it be wrong if someone says that the authorities in Bangladesh, equipped with Digital Security Act, launched a crackdown on those critical to the government?"
COVID-19: Switching online is not an option in conflict-stricken countries in the Middle East
Middle East & North Africa11 May 2020While the internet provides a lifeline in wealthy countries during COVID-19, this is not the case in conflict-stricken countries in the Middle East.
Taiwan refuses to deport caregiver who ‘insulted’ Philippine president on Facebook
East Asia7 May 2020"I felt that they listened to what I was trying to say, and it shows that they do value democracy here in Taiwan."
After disappearing for 53 days, Bangladeshi journalist is found and sent to jail
South Asia7 May 2020Fifty-three days after his abduction in from of his office in Dhaka, Bangladesh, photojournalist Shafiqul Islam Kajol was found alive in Benapole, near the border of Bangladesh with India.
Baloch journalist found dead in Sweden
South Asia4 May 2020In recent months, several Pakistani activists and bloggers living in Europe have claimed to have been targeted for speaking up against human rights violations in Pakistan.
COVID-19 diaries from Wuhan: Surrounded by walls of glass
East Asia2 May 2020"Even if you are courageous you are surrounded by walls made of glass. You try smashing through them, but they are always there."
Nigerian atheist faces death threats for blasphemy against Islam
Sub-Saharan Africa1 May 2020"Nigeria is a secular state and freedom of speech is one of the fundamental characteristics of a modern democratic state. Criticizing a religion is not a criminal offence."
