Stories about Censorship from May, 2023
Poet Galal El Beheiry’s poetic protest and the perils of expression in Egypt
Imprisoned Egyptian poet Galal El Beheiry, detained since March 2018 for a poem, smuggles a letter from prison, vowing to escalate his 81-day hunger strike with a water strike starting June 1.
‘Almost all famous artists have left or will leave [Russia], and those who remain will be blacklisted and banned’
For Russian rock, the “golden era” was the years of the underground, the end of the 70s and the first half of the 80s. The question is, will this “new underground” emerge?
#FramedinBelarus: An art group makes embroidery depicting the stories of political prisoners
The project aims to create portraits of each illegally convicted citizen in Belarus (political prisoners) using the traditional Belarusian embroidery technique of red thread on a white background
Cameroon: Report the Anglophone conflict and perish
Journalists who are critical in their reports on the Anglophone conflict, both online and offline, are either jailed or forced to desert the conflict zones and journalism or die in the process.
Unfreedom Monitor Report: Hungary
Advox research into digital authoritarianism in Hungary is now in a report. Read an excerpt and download the full pdf.
Pakistan invokes draconian Army Act to put protestors on trial
The political situation in Pakistan is escalating after the National Security Council decided to invoke the Army Act and Official Secrets Act to try civilian protestors.
New report uncovers the first documented case of Pegasus spyware used in an international war context
"This investigation is key to understanding the full scope of harms of invasive Pegasus spyware and the entire industry which has been operating with little to no oversight for years."
How the school massacre in Serbia played out on TikTok
Comments demanding the release of the detained teenager who committed the school shooting in Belgrade were common on TikTok videos, expressing “love” for him as a “hero” and a “legend”.
Unfreedom Monitor Report: Venezuela
Advox research into digital authoritarianism in Venezuela is now in a report. Read an excerpt and download the full pdf.
Journalists from Serbian KRIK convicted for criticizing SLAPP suits against newsroom
"The judgement clearly indicates that SLAPP lawsuits have become the main tool of the regime for closing down the few independent media left," stated Stevan Dojčinović, editor-in-chief of the Serbian investigative outlet KRIK.
Taiwan denied access to the World Health Assembly: Interview with Taiwan representative Chen Hsin-Hsin
As the World Health Organization holds its annual World Health Assembly, Taiwan continues to be refused entry to key discussions about global public health in an post-pandemic world.
WHO claims to serve all but repeatedly excludes 23 million Taiwanese
The WHO meets in Geneva, claiming to focus on public health at a global level, yet it denies the right of over 23 million Taiwanese to be included and protected
Unfreedom Monitor Report: Philippines
Advox research into digital authoritarianism in the Philippines is now in a report. Read an excerpt and download the full pdf.
Importing illiberal practices: The Kyrgyz state’s attack on media, journalists and bloggers
The Kyrgyz government is importing illiberal practices from Russia, and these changes have impacted public lives and affected the activity of media, journalists and bloggers.
With the death of Pema Tseden, Tibetan cinema just lost its most iconic director
Contemporary Tibetan cinema just lost its most famous and avant-garde film director, Pema Tseden, who specialized in portraying the clash of Chinese modernity and traditional Tibetan society.
Unfreedom Monitor Report: El Salvador
Advox research into digital authoritarianism in El Salvador is now in a report. Read an excerpt and download the full pdf.
Pakistan faces nationwide internet blockage: A digital crisis unfolds
The internet blockade imposed in Pakistan amidst the arrest of Imran Khan raises serious concerns about the state of democracy, freedom of expression, and access to information in the country.
In the Philippines, cyber censorship is a new form of authoritarianism
Qurium’s investigation revealed that the cyber attacks were coming from the Philippine military, using the government infrastructure of the Department of Science and Technology.
A cinematic journey through Uzbekistan: How one actor’s career reflects the nation’s cultural evolution and history
Through the exploration of Rajabov's work, one can gain a deeper understanding of the people and the land he so passionately represented.
Unfreedom Monitor Report: Ecuador
Advox research into digital authoritarianism in Ecuador is now in a report. Read an excerpt and download the full pdf.
Hong Kong purges public libraries of politically sensitive books
The Audit Commission released a report demanding the public library operator step up its efforts in removing books that were “manifestly contrary” to the interests of national security.
