Stories about Freedom of Speech from November, 2009
UAE: .il unblocked?
samuraisam, from the UAE Community Blog, asks: “Has anyone else found the Israeli TLD to be unblocked from the UAE? On my Etisalat connection it seems to be open.”
Cuba: Call to Respect Human Rights
As four Cuban dissidents are reportedly arrested in Havana, Uncommon Sense profiles political prisoner Oscar Biscet's call for his compatriots “to join an international campaign set for next month to...
China: Dwelling Narrowness
A popular Chinese drama “Dwelling Narrowness” was “re-scheduled” without explanation recently. ESWN translated various reports and discussions about the drama. A recent development of the drama is that one of...
Russia: Tatarstan Blogger Sentenced to Almost 2 Years in Penal Colony
On Sept. 12, 2008, Tatar blogger and journalist Irek Murtazin blogged about rumors of Tatarstan president Mintimir Shaimiev's death. On Nov. 26, 2009, Murtazin was convicted of defamation and incitement to hatred and sentenced to 1 year and 9 months of penal colony.
Egypt's First Adult Graphic Novel Officially Banned
Magdy El Shafee's adult graphic novel Metro has been banned in Egypt, following a court order. Bloggers and Facebook users react to the decision, which they say is yet another blow to freedom of expression.
UAE bans Talk Show On Request From Pakistan
Teeth Maestro informs that on request from Pakistan UAE has imposed a ban on the airing of Geo TV program ‘Meray Mutabiq’ by Dr. Shahid Masood. The blogger comments: “I’m...
Egypt: President Mubarak and the Egyptian Dignity
Egyptian Facebook users continue to discuss the ramifications of the aftermath of the Algeria vs Egypt football final, which saw Algeria qualifying to the World Cup finals in South Africa next year. Marwa Rakha has the story.
Slovakia: Mobile Internet Providers Put an End to Internet Neutrality
This month, a second Slovak mobile internet provider has kept its promise and started filtering internet access for its customers. While officially the goal is to block child porn, things aren't as simple as they appear. Tibor Blazko reviews the reactions of concerned Slovak netizens.
Russia: Mansion of The President Has A Lot To Offer
The Russian president's mansion became a topic of discussions on the Internet when people found a bidding offers invitation for services at the government Web site [RUS] dealing with different...
Egypt: Alaa Mubarak for President?
Several names have been thrown in the pool of candidates for Egypt's 2011 presidential elections. Now a new name is being floated. Find out why Alaa Mubarak, the Egyptian President's eldest son, is a current favorite among some Egyptians...or maybe not.
Qatar: Cartoon of maid abusing child raises ire
A cartoon published in a local paper in Qatar depicting a crazed maid abusing a child has raised the ire of Doha bloggers, many of whom are condemning the possible satire for being racist and in poor taste. Shabina S. Khatri has more on the debate.
Morocco: War on Press Continues
The Moroccan authorities are ratcheting up their attacks on independent journalists. A week rarely passes without the authorities hitting hard on the press for alleged infractions, cracking down on printed as well as online media. Bloggers have been reflecting on this state of affairs.
Poland: Anonymous Blogger to Write About a Daily Tabloid
An anonymous journalist who used to work for a Polish daily tabloid called Fakt, started a new blog, BrukowiecStory ("TabloidStory" in English), in which he wants to write the truth about how things really work in the newsroom and in the publisher’s office.
Cuba, U.S.A.: Questions for Obama
Cuba's Generation Y sends a questionnaire to U.S. President Obama “with some of the issues that keep [her] from sleeping” and publishes his responses.
Western Sahara: Aminatou Haidar Deported
Aminatou Haidar is a leading activist for independence of the Western Sahara (from Morocco). On Friday, November 13 when, upon returning to Laayoune (a city in the Western Sahara region), she was arrested and subsequently deported. Jillian C. York rounds up the reactions of bloggers.
Cuba: Courting Change
“There are a good number of ministers still under sixty, but the largest share of power is concentrated in the hands of septuagenarians and octogenarians”: Cuba's Generation Y suggests these...
China: Obama, censored or not?
Fool's Mountain pointed out how the Chinese propaganda machine has successfully played tricks on foreign media in reporting the censoring of Obama's Q & A session with Shanghai youth.
Trinidad & Tobago: Banned from Parliament?
A journalist may be banned from Parliament, prompting Nicholas Laughlin to post a statement by the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago and Edmund Gall at KnowTnT.com to post his...
China: Obama as a big supporter of non-censorship
Adam Minter is disappointed by Obama's comment in the Shanghai Town Hall meeting with students, in particular, his expression that “I'm a big supporter of non-censorship”.
China: Obama's Q & A session
Alice Poon from Asia Sentinel translated a blog post written by Lipuman regarding Obama's comment on Twitter and Firewall.
Hungary: More on Imre Kertész's Interview
More on the Hungarian reactions to Imre Kertész's Die Welt interview – at Hungarian Spectrum. (Marietta Le's GV post about it is here.)
