Featured stories about Freedom of Speech
Stories about Freedom of Speech
16 January 2020
New privacy law in Mozambique threatens freedom of expression, activists say
New legislation criminalizes all types of invasion of privacy via mobile phones, and the publication of images or videos of third parties without their consent.
11 January 2020
Thai journalist convicted over a 2017 Twitter post about a labor conflict
"There is a high level of self-censorship in Thailand… When you forbid freedom of expression… you forbid an open society."
10 January 2020
Interfaith harmony disturbed after Sikh holy site attacked in Pakistan
Sikh holy sIte Gurdwara Janam Ashtam at Nankana Sahib city near Lahore Pakistan was attacked by violent mobs and communal and hateful slogans against the Sikh minority community were raised.
4 January 2020
‘A disturbing crackdown on press freedom’: Pakistan arbitrarily blocking Slate.com
This is the second time that the website has been blocked in Pakistan in 2019, and the third time since 2018.
29 December 2019
Longest internet disruption in Myanmar’s Rakhine state sets dangerous precedent
"There has been no evidence that the disproportionate decision has had any positive effect on reducing the conflict, which remains pervasive."
25 December 2019
Rash of abductions and arrests signals ‘dramatic slide’ in human rights in Tanzania
In recent years, an uptick in abductions, arrests, detentions and trumped-up charges of economic crimes for activists and journalists have amounted to a disturbing trend toward silencing dissent in Tanzania.
23 December 2019
Protests, internet shutdowns and biryani: 2019 in South Asia
Overall, our coverage in the past 12 months highlighted stories of protests and internet shutdowns from across the region.
21 December 2019
Abduction of human rights activist echos chilling trend in Tanzania
Human rights activist Tito Magoti's abduction echoes a chilling trend toward the disappearances of journalists, human rights defenders and opposition leaders in Tanzania since 2015 when Magufuli first took office.
19 December 2019
Serbian fact-checking service Istinomer files criminal complaint after serious hacker attack
Istinomer has demanded an investigation that would disclose the identities of both those who ordered the attack and funded the technology that underpinned it.
18 December 2019
2019: A year of flipping scripts and changing narratives in Africa
2019, a year of changing narratives in Africa: Revolutions. Internet shutdowns. Tree-planting. Migration. Feminist songs. Media crackdowns. Cyclones and climate change. Opposition rising. Cultural icons dying. Illness, cures, and healing.
New network of journalists vows to promote press freedom and independent media in Cambodia
"Our free press is insufficiently protected and is under constant threat."
17 December 2019
Indian police accused of brutality after violently dispersing student-led anti-CAA protest in Delhi
Protests and marches are set to continue across India condemning the police brutality against the students of Jamia Millia Islamia University as-well-as demanding the scrapping of the Citizenship Amendment Act.
16 December 2019
Internet blocked as protests intensify in northeast India against the Citizenship Amendment Act
"India leads the world in internet blackouts. We all know what fascist governments do in the dark. Don’t be a bystander; speak now & speak loudly."
12 December 2019
Interview with Bektour Iskender, co-founder of Kyrgyz outlet under attack for corruption investigation
The story's whistleblower was shot dead in Istambul in November, and Kloop.kg battles a defamation lawsuit.
Taxing dissent: Uganda’s social media dilemma
Uganda’s social media tax essentially amounted to an internet shutdown, driving thousands offline and silencing dissent for others.
‘Burning books and burying scholars': Book burning causes uproar on Chinese social media
"How come young people just talked about the environmental impact of burning books? Are they not aware of the historical symbolism of “book burning and scholar burying”?"
India's citizenship bill fuels anti-Muslim prejudice fears
As India's ruling BJP pushes for the 'anti-Muslim' citizenship amendment bill, critics say that it violates India's secular constitution and threatens the very essence of India's plurality.
10 December 2019
Ahead of 2020 elections in Ghana, citizens fight against extreme surge in data costs
The increased Communication Service Tax to 9% will create a huge barrier to affordability, increase existing digital inequalities and will be disproportionately felt in rural areas and among women.
9 December 2019
Will Algeria disrupt internet access as election day nears?
With protesters taking to social media to spread information about what is happening on the ground, the Algerian authorities repeatedly resorted to disrupting access to networks and social media platforms.
