Stories about Censorship from August, 2014
In the Fight Against Russia, Ukraine Flirts with Kremlinesque Internet Censorship
A new draft law in Ukraine could grant the government extensive powers to shut down media outlets and block websites in the name of national security.
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's Twitter Account Hacked
Earlier today, hackers briefly took control of the Russian prime minister's Twitter account. The group Anonymous International later claimed responsibility.
Spanish Radio Report Captures History of ‘the Freaks’, Havana's Biggest Metal and Punk Fans
This is the music of an entire generation who pushed aside socialism to play the music that they desired, and to dress as they pleased, regardless of the consequences.
Malaysian Government Threatens to Block Facebook Over “Abuse” Reports
Other legislators want to create a government registry of Facebook accounts or amend the country's Sedition Act to address online hate speech -- moves that would still threaten free speech.
Crimea's One-Woman Resistance to Russian Occupation
Daria Karpenko says she is determined to stay in Crimea and report the realities of life on the ground, but she fears for her country and her family.
Iran's Internet Users Outsmart Government in Cat-and-Mouse Censorship Game
The Iranian government periodically releases new filtering rules intended to block Tor traffic, to which the Tor community typically responds with a same-day antidote for the block.
This Meat Advertisement Is Now Illegal in Russia
Russian police have banned a meat product commercial for breaking the country's advertising laws, which forbid the depiction of illegal acts, including traffic violations and the endangerment of children.
Thailand's Junta Bans ‘Tropico’, a Computer Game That Simulates Military Dictatorship
The game allows a player to be a dictator named 'El Presidente' and launch a coup in a tropical paradise island.
TJournal's Vadim Elistratov Says It's a Political Time to Be Russian
Elistratov explains the creep of politics in Russian daily life, saying the recent barrage of oppressive laws is changing the tone of the country's social discourse.
Will Russia Start Blocking Websites in Real Time?
Already plagued by Roskomnadzor blacklists, blogger registration, and the blocking of Twitter accounts, a Russian organization now wants to introduce real-time filtering of online content.
China Tightens Its Control of Popular Messaging App WeChat With Real-Name Registration
WeChat has grown popular since 2012 and now has almost 400 million active users. It was subject to a crackdown earlier this year, with 100 public accounts shut down.
Want to Use Public Wi-Fi in Russia? Let's See Some ID
Internet users in Russia won't be able to use Wi-Fi in public spots anonymously any longer. The Russian government now requires individuals accessing public Wi-Fi to present their IDs.
A Weibo Spat Hints at the Battle Brewing Over Journalism's Future in China
Lin Zhibo's appointment as dean of journalism school at Lanzhou University pitted the country's leftist nationalists against liberals pressing for more media freedom.
Forgot Your Password? Don't Worry, the Kremlin Has It.
The Russian government is inviting bloggers to share something every Internet user learns never to divulge: their logins and passwords.
The Kremlin Is Fighting the Internet by Buying It Up
Once Russia's most independent news portals, Lenta.ru and Gazeta.ru will now host video content from state-run television.
Malaysia’s Longest Serving PM Repeats Call to Censor the Internet
Dr. Mahathir Mohamad says Web platforms and services are worse for online freedom than government regulation...and that the Malaysian government needs to start censoring the Web.
“From the [Four] Compass Points of the Earth Arises a Mighty Cry — #FreeZone9Bloggers!”
From Hong Kong to Islamabad to Cairo to San Francisco, allies across the globe tweeted their support for Ethiopia's Zone9 bloggers, who have been in prison for 102 days.
Russian-French Opposition Activist Koblyakov Arrested in Bulgaria
Nikolay Koblyakov, founder of the French NGO Free Russia, which for years has organized protests against Putin's regime, was arrested at Sofia Airport on July 29, 2014.
Israeli Army Whistle-Blower Gets Arrested After Posting ‘Israeli Troops Killed Gaza Civilians in Revenge’ on Facebook
Soldiers in two different units inside Gaza leaked information about the murdering of Palestinians by sniper fire in Shuja'iyya neighborhood as punishment for the death of soldiers in their units.
Iran's Regime Likes the Washington Post's Op-Ed Space, but Not Its Reporter
President Hassan Rouhani published an op-ed last year in The Washington Post explaining his moderate policies. Iranian authorities arrested the Post's reporter Jason Rezaian on July 22.
