Stories about Digital Activism from December, 2014
Protests, Blackouts, and a Bill of Rights for the Internet: Advox in 2014
In 2014, the Global Voices Advox team covered more stories than ever before. From Egypt to Ethiopia to Tajikistan to Turkey, our authors wrote what they saw on the ground, on the Internet, in court and behind bars. Here are some highlights from this incredible year of advocacy for free...
From #ReclaimYourMosques to #ReclaimPakistan, Pakistanis Call for an End to Extremism
Horrified by the attack on a Peshawar school by Taliban militants, who killed more than 130 students, Pakistanis are protesting for an end to violent radicalism.
Indians Plead for #NetNeutrality as Airtel Raises Data Charges
Although plans are now on hold due to regulatory restrictions, advocates worry that the company may yet find a way impose the fee increase.
Macedonians ‘Hug’ Skopje Shopping Centre to Protect It From Baroque-isation
The Skopje 2014 project is a controversial and costly initiative that aims to give the city's buildings makeover in the neoclassical or baroque style.
Hijacked Printers in Eastern Ukraine and Russia Print Pro-Ukraine Messages
Ukrainian hackers are fighting the Russian-led occupation of Donbas and Crimea by occupying security cameras and hijacking networked printers in Eastern Ukraine and Russia.
New Protest Facebook Page Already in Place as Kremlin Moves Navalny Verdict Forward
As thousands of Russians joined a January 15 protest against the verdict in the trial of opposition leader Navalny, the court suddenly moved the verdict announcement to tomorrow, December 30.
Despite Appearances, 3 Reasons for Madagascar, Algeria and France to Be Cheerful in 2015
It seems that things have not been ideal in Algeria, France and Madagascar, yet the Happy Planet Index ranked them quite high on their happiness list.
So Much More Than the World Cup Happened in Brazil in 2014
From a soap opera's groundbreaking gay kiss to a national debate on racism and vigilante justice, 2014 was a busy year in Latin America's largest country.
Citizens Battle Government for the Right to Decorate Kyrgyzstan's Main Festive Tree
The municipal government of Kyrgyzstan's capital, Bishkek, has produced a festive fail this year by decorating its New Year tree with tacky-looking plastic discs. Residents are angry.
New Taxes in Macedonia Send Freelancers and Part-Time Workers Into the Streets
In a country where unemployment sits at nearly 29 percent, freelancing and working part-time is all that's available to many people.
Hate Crimes on LGBTI People in Macedonia Spark ‘Body Bag’ Protests
In October, masked hooligans assaulted a celebration organized by an LGBTI group in Skopje, wrecking a cafe and beating up several people. Police have sat on their hands.
Facebook and Twitter ‘Won't Block’ Navalny in Russia, As Kremlin Continues to Block Protest Mentions
Tv Rain reports Facebook and Twitter have decided not to block any more Navalny protest pages, aware that this might mean their whole websites may be blocked in Russia.
Pakistanis Say #ReclaimYourMosques From Radicalism in Rare, Bold Protests
After the horrific Taliban attack on a military-run school in Peshawar that killed more than hundred and thirty students, a controversial cleric refused to condemn the massacre, sparking protests.
Navalny Protest Rally Facebook Event Page Blocked in Russia
Just one day after supporters of Putin critic Alexey Navalny set up a Facebook event page for a protest rally in his support, the page has been blocked in Russia.
The Russian Internet Is Not Free. A New Tax Might Make It Even Worse.
The Russian government is now considering its own variant of an Internet tax, and wants to make all Russian Internet users pay for consuming copyrighted content online.
Murdered Teen’s Father Rallies Support for ‘Tijana’s Law’ on Serbian Social Media
After the murder of 15-year-old Tijana Jurić, citizens are pushing the Serbian government to adopt a law that would allow police to search for missing minors immediately and more efficiently.
Does the Caribbean Have a Rape Culture?
Is Caribbean society doing everything it can to protect women from rape? Some activists have had enough with the region's passive acceptance of a rape culture.
Massive Oil Spill Threatens Bangladesh's Sundarbans
Protesters are demanding a stronger government response. Absent effective government measures, however, Bangladesh will have to keep relying on civil society and volunteers in this environmental disaster.
Ukrainian Hackers Leak Russian Interior Ministry Docs with ‘Evidence’ of Russian Invasion
Ukrainian Cyber Forces hacker collective has leaked documents from Russian Interior Ministry servers that activists claim show evidence of Russian military presence in Ukraine.
South Korea: Game Mocking the Airplane Nuts Fiasco
Korean Air Lines vice president has made numerous headlines, both locally and internationally, for her arrogant behavior on a recent flight out. She randomly accused a crew member of serving macadamia nuts ‘incorrectly’ and even she ordered a plane back to the gate to remove the crew member out of the plane. No wonder this sensational story has...
Drones Flying Over Nuclear Power Stations in France Raise Concerns
Internet users in France are worried that a series of drone sightings above French nuclear power sites suggests an unacknowledged national security vulnerability.
