Featured stories about Freedom of Speech
Stories about Freedom of Speech
Pressure on journalists, bloggers mounts ahead of Uzbekistan's presidential elections
A foreign journalist loses accreditation, a pro-LBGT blogger is beaten and another blogger gets a heavy sentence on dubious charges.
Late-night raid at Turkey's Boğaziçi University as students continue resisting interference in campus affairs
Six months later, university students, alumni, and faculty members are still agitating against the government-appointed rector Melih Bulu and his policies, which they claim are eroding the campus' democratic culture.
Barbados’ prime minister chastises musicians for violent lyrics; artists defend freedom of expression
Prime Minister Mia Mottley dismissed the “artistic license” defence by noting that some people in Barbadian society lack the maturity required to not interpret the musical message literally.
Myanmar’s long history of revolutionary poets
In Myanmar's history, poets have shown solidarity with the ordinary people and have been at the frontline in every revolution.
How the lack of Brazilian correspondents in China affects perceptions of both countries
Journalists Marcelo Ninio and Talita Fernandes discuss Brazilian perspectives on China.
Myanmar navy deserters speak out against military regime
"The soldiers we saw when we were young were loved by the people. But what they are doing now is just opposite of what I believe and ... want to...
Remembering Tiananmen in Hong Kong: An increasingly risky act of resistance
Despite all the legal threats, Hongkongers are finding their own ways to commemorate June 4.
New report highlights ongoing pressure on Ukrainian activists and rights defenders
In the first quarter of 2021, physical attacks, destruction or damage to activists’ property, and attempted intimidation of human rights defenders were the most common, in addition to digital threats.
Twitter vs India: The battle of BJP and Congress over a ‘fake toolkit’ on COVID-19
Twitter expressed concern about the “use of intimidation tactics by the police” and “the potential threat to freedom of expression” for the Indian users.
Omanis stage rare protests demanding jobs and end to corruption
In the largest rallies since 2011, protests broke out across Oman for several days, leading to speedy employment policy by Sultan Haitham, who faces his first bout of dissent.
Belarus grounds Ryanair flight, detains independent journalist amid regime's crackdown on media
Pratasevich was formerly an administrator of NEXTA-Live, the Telegram channel covering the anti-government protests in Belarus. He is currently editor-in-chief of Belarus Golovnogo Mozga, another independent media outlet.
Environmental activists convicted in Cambodia for planning ‘one-woman walk’
"These young people were arrested for trying to protect Phnom Penh’s largest lake and preserve it for current and future generations."
Hong Kong's public broadcaster is on its way to become a government mouthpiece
Shows are being censored, journalists are being fired, and even social media posts are being deleted.
Several NGOs denounce censorship of Palestinian voices by tech companies
The NGOs' statement labelled as "improbable mistakes" the fact that Facebook reported two "technical issues" within 48 hours which they said targeted Palestinian users and "compromised Jerusalemites’ right to freedom of...
Using Clubhouse to counter Beijing-imposed amnesia: An interview with Ai Weiwei
Chinese artist Ai Weiwei continues to fight political censorship in China by using art, sound and social media to maintain the memory of the school victims of the 2008 Sichuan...
Burundi is releasing thousands from jail, but many political prisoners remain behind bars
The authorities seek to relieve pressure on the country's overcrowded jails as well as improve diplomatic relations, notably with Europe, which has imposed sanctions on Burundi following its controversial 2015 elections.
Human rights groups propose #7FirstSteps to mend Egypt's ‘dismal’ record
#7FirstSteps is the minimum needed "to gauge meaningful improvement in the dismal human rights situation, and include immediate measures that can be implemented tomorrow morning if a political decision is made."
Two Malaysian artists face police probe for online commentary and artwork
"The persecution of artists such as Zunar and Fahmi stifles creative expression, chills public discourse, and undermines trust in Malaysian authorities."
Women leaders discuss campaign for digital rights in Thailand
'...the government must learn to use technology as a tool to create more positive connections with the people on the ground, not using technology to oppress people.'
Russian feminist activist Yulia Tsvetkova announces hunger strike
Demanding a swift trial, Tsvetkova wrote: "Let’s stop waiting for people being persecuted to be heroes. We don’t need heroes. We need to prevent the persecution of the innocent."
