Stories about Censorship from August, 2015
Protests as Malaysia Suspends Two Newspapers Following a Corruption Expose
"We must never forget abuses of power today. You can suspend The Edge but you can't suspend truth!"
Serbian Intelligence Agency Caught Inquiring to Purchase Surveillance Software
Serbian NGO SHARE Defense reported in July 2015 that leaked emails and files belonging to Milan-based software company Hacking Team (HT) published on Wikileaks reveal that at least one Serbian security service inquired about and negotiated the purchase of surveillance software from this company in 2012. There is also evidence...
China Steps Up Internet Surveillance With “Cybersecurity Police Stations” at Major Websites
Until now, managing online discourse has been delegated to Internet content providers on a largely ad hoc basis.
How India's Porn Ban Backfired And “Brought the Entire Nation Together”
India's overreaching ban on pornography sites was lifted less than a week after it was laid down, in the wake of heavy criticism. But the mockery of government continues.
Russian Internet, Say Hello to Barbra Streisand
We look at four prominent examples of the Streisand effect on the RuNet, when banned articles, shut-down websites, and pirated movies exploded online not unlike Streisand's Malibu mansion in 2003.
Russia's ‘Draconian’ Internet Laws Mostly Ignored By Industry Experts
Russian Internet laws have been called "draconian" and accused of limiting free speech. But a recent study found that Russian online industry and experts actually know little about these regulations.
Mexico: “We Are the Problem Because We Disturb the Government and the Narcos”
“How many journalists have been murdered, and what has come of it? How many students, activists, and human rights defenders have been killed, picked up, or disappeared?"
Iran to Partially Lift Ban on BBC
Iran announces BBC World news will be allowed to operate temporarily inside Iran, while the ban on BBC Persian is to continue.
#HackingTeam Leaks: Ecuador is Spending Millions on Malware, Pro-Government Trolls
Pro-government propaganda, anti-opposition trolls, hashtag spamming, and widespread malware are all part of a politically-motivated social media spin campaign dating back to 2012.
‘Films for Action’ Website Shares List of Top 100 Documentaries ‘We Can Use to Change the World’
After years of promotion and reviews of documentaries devoted to social change, the site Films for Action released a list of what they consider to be the 100 most influencial and provocative. From critiques to manistream media to the corporate world, passing through the ideas and solutions proposed in and by...
The Biggest Threat to Mexican Journalists Aren't Drug Cartels Anymore
Public officials and police officers are now suspected of most attacks against journalists.
Exiled Journalist Speaks on Human Trafficking and The Gambia's Assault on Media Freedom
Sanna Camara fled his home country in the face of legal challenges and death threats after he published a series of stories on human trafficking in The Gambia.
Iran Closes Down Hardline Newspaper After Anti Nuclear Deal Coverage
Iran's Press Supervisory have closed down 9 Dey, a hardline newspaper that has published dissenting views to the nuclear deal signed between Iran and the P5+1 countries, signed in Vienna on July 13. Iran shuts down hardline conservative weekly for criticising the nuclear deal pic.twitter.com/dMKJKKAcuK — Mehrzad Kohanrouz (@MehrzadBBC) August 3,...
China Finally Opens Door to Overseas Game Consoles
China finally lifts its ban on sales of game consoles. Is this the dawn of a new age in home video entertainment?
Indians Blast Facebook Over Broken Community Standards
"What the **** are community standards if they cannot take down a page purely abusive in nature, harassing a woman using her photos and other personal details?"
Malaysia’s #AtTheEdge Campaign Challenges Media Censorship
"At a time when there are more questions than answers available regarding the financial scandal, the Ministry’s action appears to be a self-serving draconian attempt at shutting up inquisitive Malaysians."