Featured stories about Freedom of Speech
Stories about Freedom of Speech
22 September 2017
Saudi Arabia Eases Restrictions on Messaging Apps, But WhatsApp and Viber Are Still Blocked
Since 2013, the Saudi government has partially or fully blocked chat and call applications including WhatsApp, Skype, Facebook Messenger and FaceTime.
21 September 2017
Human Rights Group Prevented by Police and Anti-Communist Mob From Commemorating 1965 Massacre in Indonesia
"The complete inaction of the police to stop this violence, contributes to the erosion of democracy and violations of the rights to freedom of expression and assembly in Indonesia."
20 September 2017
Netizen Report: Germany’s New Social Media Law Puts a Price on Hate Speech
Global Voices Advocacy's Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
Sentenced to One Year in Prison for ‘Inciting Protest,’ a Moroccan Journalist Goes on Hunger Strike
Several journalists have been arrested by Moroccan authorities over their coverage of the unrest in the Rif region.
Speaking of Independence Is Getting Harder for Hong Kongers
"The universities can say they don’t support Hong Kong independence, but students and teachers should have the freedom of speech to discuss Hong Kong independence."
19 September 2017
Evidence of Government Surveillance in Mexico Continues to Mount
Intrusive technologies used to intimidate and silence dissent continue to be used in Mexico.
18 September 2017
In Ukraine, Fears of ‘Technological Terrorism’ Cause Free Expression to Decline
State of Internet freedom in Ukraine is a reflection of challenges brought to free speech and independent reporting under the conflict settings, explains legal expert Olga Kyryliuk.
15 September 2017
Netizen Report: Online Supporters of Myanmar's Rohingya Face Censorship, Legal Threats
Salvadoran journalists face violent threats on social media, Japanese activists stomp on hateful tweets and Chile doubles down on data retention.
Thousands of Indians Take to Streets Seeking Justice for Murdered Journalist Gauri Lankesh
"There has rarely been a period of such constructed, deliberate terror and hatred. We are up against the largest machine of hate."
14 September 2017
Among a Rising Tide of Extremism in Syria, Women's Freedoms Hang in the Balance
Extremist groups like ISIS, Hezbollah and al-Nusra are undermining the freedoms that Syria’s women and girls enjoyed, which were a longtime strength of Syrian society.
13 September 2017
Taiwanese Activist Was Forced to Confess on Camera to ‘Smearing the Chinese Government,’ Allies Say
"...if you see Lee Mingche confess against his will in court....please forgive him. This is just another drama staged by the Chinese government."
Journalist Faces Defamation Probe for Comparing Indonesia’s Treatment of West Papua with Myanmar's Rohingya
Dandhy posted his comments on Facebook following a rally condemning the Myanmar government for its treatment of Rohingya refugees.
China Makes Chat Group Administrators — i.e. Regular Users — Criminally Liable for Unlawful Messages
Chat group administrators are becoming a key human resource in China's internet control infrastructure.
9 September 2017
Azerbaijan Runs $2.9 Billion ‘Laundromat’ but Soros and the ‘Armenian Lobby’ Are to Blame
"The Azerbaijani operation...was likely designed primarily to obscure the origin and destination of dirty money."
8 September 2017
Muslims in the Former Soviet Union Rally Behind Myanmar's Besieged Rohingya
"They are experiencing what we cannot even imagine! #Rohingyawearewithyou"
Palestinian Human Rights Defender Arrested for a Facebook Post
In a Facebook post, Amro criticized the Palestinian Authority's arrest of journalist Ayman Qawasmi .
7 September 2017
Netizen Report: Togo Government Shuts Down Internet and SMS as Protests Escalate
Global Voices Advocacy's Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
6 September 2017
Cambodia Daily Closes Down After Government Threatened It with Hefty Tax Bill
"Cambodia lost a significant aspect of its media diversity. It lost a training ground for a generation of Khmer journalists. It lost a beacon of free speech."
On WhatsApp, Fake News Is Nearly Impossible to Moderate. Is That a Bad Thing?
People are keen to tackle fake news on Facebook. But picture becomes more complex when news and information spread through WhatsApp.
A Year After Newspaper Ban, Independent Media Remain Under Siege in Oman
Azamn newspaper was banned over a report on interference with the independence of the judiciary. One of its journalists remains in prison.
