Featured stories about Freedom of Speech
Stories about Freedom of Speech
16 October 2018
When will Egypt release photojournalist Mahmoud Abu Zeid aka Shawkan?
More than one month after a Cairo court verdict that many saw as the end to his ordeal, Shawkan remains in jail.
8 October 2018
Journalists across India share their testimony on the deteriorating state of media — and vow to fight back
Four journalists have been killed because of their work in 2018. Killings have evoked public outrage, but little response from the government.
Hong Kong rejects visa of Financial Times editor who hosted pro-independence talk
"The Hong Kong authorities’ visa renewal rejection—without explanation—of a journalist who’s done nothing more than his job smacks of Beijing-style persecution of critics".
7 October 2018
Despite proven flaws, India's biometric ID scheme was upheld by the Supreme Court. Now what?
Legal scholars and social scientists are likely to pore over this significant judgment for its far-reaching impact on civil liberties and socio-economic issues.
28 September 2018
Free speech advocates say Bangladesh's new Digital Security Act is ‘ripe for abuse’
"Journalism is surely not for increasing conflict, or for tarnishing the image of the country," said PM Hasina, in response to critics.
26 September 2018
Fifty years after the Mexican Movement of 1968, students continue their march against violence and impunity
"We are the grandchildren of '68".
25 September 2018
Chat bot lets Russians detained at protests request legal assistance
A Russian NGO tracking police brutality developed a chatbot on the popular Telegram messenger that allows people detained at rallies report their arrests and request legal assistance.
A new indie film festival features the struggles and triumphs of indigenous Papua, Indonesia
The film festival "highlights the issues of the indigenous people of Papua through documentary films as well as to build public awareness of the important issues impacting them.”
21 September 2018
Venezuelans say they are unable to access key Google services
Reports of new Internet blocks sound alarms and point to a possible escalation in communication and information control.
20 September 2018
Netizen Report: Authorities shut down mobile internet in Ethiopia’s capital, as ethnic and political conflict persist
The Advox Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
18 September 2018
Three days behind bars for the ‘crime’ of journalism: Diary of a Nigerian journalist
Investigative journalist Samuel Ogundipe spent three days in detention on spurious charges and was denied access to his lawyer. Now free on bail, he is telling his story.
15 September 2018
Protestors artfully demand the release of Shahidul Alam, Bangladesh's prisoner of conscience
"When a regime is governed by nothing but fear, it is often a sign that the regime might have lost its plot."
14 September 2018
Netizen Report: Internet taxes are sweeping sub-Saharan Africa — and silencing citizens
The Advox Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
12 September 2018
Under Austria's right-wing government, ‘ethical’ principles for journalists could hijack media rights
If the current draft is adopted as it stands, it will provide for an extra layer of strict control that aims to silence the critique and dissent.
8 September 2018
Google caves in to Russian demands, censors videos promoting a protest rally
This latest scandal is unfolding as Google is in the middle of an existential crisis, with its employees revolting against what they see as embracing censorship by their company.
7 September 2018
As China faces record-breaking flood levels, authorities arrest two women for spreading ‘rumors’ of health risks
"If they could react to the floods as effectively [as they do to the 'rumors'], that would be great."
South Asian governments keep ordering internet shutdowns — and leaving users in the dark
“Operators owe complete transparency to their users, as consumers who are paying them money and also in the interest of accountability.”
After Facebook ban, Myanmar military accounts are moving to Russian social media site VKontakte
"...they are now spreading their hate freely on the site without any moderation."
6 September 2018
Netizen Report: What role does Facebook play in Libya’s civil war?
The Advox Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
A lethal combination: How MENA governments use cybercrime laws and spyware to target activists
Gulf governments continue to deploy cybercrime laws as an arbitrary legal cover to target target human rights defenders.
