· September, 2010

Stories about Freedom of Speech from September, 2010

Russia: “Web of Justice”

RuNet Echo  29 September 2010

The Russian Internet is presented, especially in some Western media, as being one of the few democratic forums in the country. However, these reports should be taken with a grain of salt, as it is still unclear just how much of Internet freedom the government is willing to tolerate.

Trinidad & Tobago: MATT's Role

  28 September 2010

“I know in a democracy it is only right for everyone to have their say. Even in criticising you, MATT. But when the criticism becomes mere target practice, it’s time for us to grow up and look at MATT not as the enemy but as a vessel for all of...

Iran: The Art and Design of the ‘Green Movement’

  28 September 2010

“Where is my Vote” is an exhibition of 150 political posters for the Green Movement in Iran that was on display at the School of Visual Arts in New York by graphic artists from around the world in support of the protests in Iran that followed the 2009 presidential election.

Azerbaijan: Obama calls for bloggers’ release

  28 September 2010

Dönməzlik blog [AZ] says that it was surprised to discover that US President Barack Obama raised the issue of Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli, two video blogging youth activists imprisoned on charges of hooliganism by a court in Baku, with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Ilham Aliyev, at the UN General Assembly....

China: Uncensored District Government Website

  28 September 2010

ESWN translated a news story on a grassroots government website in Xindu district of Chengdu city. The district government website does not censor away abusive comments, on the other hand, its officials give creative responses to unreasonable complaint.

Guyana: Leadership Style

  27 September 2010

“Envisage a country vibrant in idea exchanges and energetic businesses unafraid of political repercussions”: The Guyana Groove says that her homeland “could be a fully vibrant and thriving nation, but the authoritarian leadership has instead created a stifling and oppressive environment…”

Russia: Gay Activists Protest on Luzhkov's Birthday

RuNet Echo  27 September 2010

The Moscow Diaries writes about last week's gay rights activists’ protest against Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov: “It was sad to see, this protest. The protesters were so few that they were barely visible among the gajillion photographers and two gajillion police officers. Within a few minutes, eleven of the protesters...

China: Tibetan writer awaiting trial

  27 September 2010

An update in the case of imprisoned writer Tagyal and the latest hit single from hip-hop group Green Dragon are among the stories in Dechen Pamba's roundup of the Tibetan blogging scene at High Peaks Pure Earth.

Saudi Arabia: Licence to Blog!

  26 September 2010

Saudi Arabia first announced plans to have all web publishers and online media, including blogs and forums, to be registered with the government. The following day, it backed down following a storm of protests, saying that only electronic newspapers were expected to register. Saudi netizens have their say.

Nobel Peace Prize should go to Liu Xiaobo

  25 September 2010

Xu Youyu, philosopher and professor with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, wrote an open letter (English translation here) to call for international support for this year's Nobel Peace Prize to be awarded to Liu Xiaobo, the imprisoned author of China's Charter 08.  Meanwhile, C. Custer at ChinaGeeks commented on...

Anti-censorship webmaster arrested in Thailand

  24 September 2010

The webmaster of an independent online journal in Thailand was arrested at Bangkok airport today on charges of insulting the monarchy. Local mainstream media has been quiet about the issue but twitterers are providing information and other updates which help sustain the campaign to demand the freedom of the arrested activist