Stories about Freedom of Speech from December, 2007
Hong Kong: Top News in 2007 Blogosphere
As the year end is approaching, local blogger sidekick has her picks of "Top News in Hong Kong 2007 Blogosphere". She also calls for more comments and suggestions for the year end round up. Below is a translation of her selection:
Egypt: Murad and the Freedom of Speech
Judge Murad lost his case and the court ruled in favour of freedom of speech. The Administrative Judicial Court issued a sentence in Case No. 15575 / 61, which was brought by Judge Abdul Fattah Murad calling for banning the 51 websites on the Internet in Egypt. You can read...
Thailand: Censoring Thaksin
Bangkok Pundit comments on Thai officials attempts at censoring former prime minister Thaksin's appearance on Thai media.
Egypt: Bidding Farewell to Bhutto
Egyptian bloggers couldn't stop themselves from writing about the assassination of one of the bravest women in the Muslim world, and may be the whole world. Carmen – Diasporic Discontents – wrote about her own experience when she met Bhutto [En]. I met Benazir Bhutto when I was in grad...
Serbia: “Manufactured Guilt”
Gray Falcon writes that “only by rejecting this manufactured guilt and by understanding who made it and with what purpose can the Serbs begin their path to freedom.”
Israel: Journalists Face Possible Jail Time for Visits to Enemy States
Three Israeli journalists who visited Lebanon and Syria are facing possible jail time for visiting nations that the government terms “enemy states.” Lisa Goldman, Ron Ben-Yishai, and Tsur Shezaf have been investigated and will spend a maximum of four years in jail if found guilty. Here's the reaction from Israel's English speaking blogs.
China: 1Bao Blocked
In Dec 26, 1bao was blocked again, Zhai Minglei said he would continue to write and wait for the blog to be unblocked again (zh).
Slovenia: Dimitrij Rupel
Sleeping With Pengovsky writes about Slovenian foreign minister Dimitrij Rupel and the stuff he's written for Sinfo, a PR magazine issued monthly by the governmental Communications office”: “(great choice of name, BTW. Fire your chief marketing officer toot-suite!)”
The Balkans: B92 and Milošević
In a somewhat roundabout way, Alan Jakšić of Balkan Anarchist tells of how B92 radio, site and blogs have helped him to change his mind about Slobodan Milošević.
Lusosphere: On Benazir Bhutto's death
Denise Arcoverde [pt] was shocked to learn about Benazir Bhutto's death. “Bonazir was such a brilliant and courageous women who knew very well the risk she run, and who was anything but stupid. However, to leave your mark, there is a price to pay”. She has also compiled a short...
Japan: Three easy steps to a regulated Internet
Government moves in Japan to regulate web content, filter mobile phone access for users under the age of 18, and revise file transfer-related copyright legislation are outlined in a report posted at gyaku.
Arab Bloggers Alarmed by Al Farhan's Arrest
Reactions continue to reverberate across the Arab blogosphere following the arrest of Saudi blogger Fouad Al Farhan, whose charges still remain unknown. Following is what some of region's bloggers have to say about his detention.
Saudi Arabia: Free Fouad Update
The leading Saudi blogger, Fouad Alfarhan, who has been arrested in Jeddah on December 10, 2007 for exercising his freedom of speech on his popular blog alfarhan.org has sent a letter few days before his arrest to his friends. According to his wife with whom we talked, Fouad's arrest was directly linked to his blogging activities. He may remain in custody for a one-month investigation period.
Poland: Ecology, Coal Mines, Iraq
Our Man in Gdansk comments on the coverage of Poland's ecology, coal mines and involvement in Iraq.
Poland: “Troll” Sues Wikipedia
The beatroot reports: “Arnold Buzdygan […] – sometime wannabe presidential candidate, and a regular on usernet sites in Poland – went to court in Wroclaw, southwestern Poland, last week, to sue Wikpedia Polska for deformation of character. […] Buzdygan claims that his fiancée’s mother refused to let the marriage go...
Belarus, Russia: $1.5-Billion Loan
TOL's Belarus writes about the possible reasons behind Russia's $1.5-billion loan to Belarus.
Russia: “(Chimerical) Stability”
Streetwise Professor criticizes Time Magazine's coverage of Putin's Russia: “The touting of the (chimerical) stability of Russia under Putin is another example of the superficiality that passes for incisive journalism.”
Ukraine: Yanukovych Privatizes State Residence
Ukrainiana translates a video in which Victor Yanukovych is threatening to sue a journalist for questions on murky privatization deal.
Angola: Jailed journalists still in prison
Orlando Castro [pt] reports that Angolan journalists Armando Chikoca and José Lelo, both arrested in the past months while working in different news pieces in two different parts of the country, are still in prison. “This all happen because there still are journalists who insist on being journalists”.
Estonia: Mart Laar's “The Estonian Way”
Itching for Eestimaa writes about an Estonian politician's book on Estonian history.
Iran:Music sites, new victims of filtering
Alireza Shirazi says[Fa] that recently several music sites were filtered in Iran.The blogger adds it shows that filtering goes beyond political or “porn” sites.He asks what will be the next step of filtering?
