Stories about Freedom of Speech from September, 2010
Vietnam: Blogger Pham Minh Hoang Charged with Attempt at Overthrowing the Government
Reporters Without Borders reports that French-Vietnamese blogger Pham Minh Hoang was charged with “Activities aimed at overthrowing the government” and membership of a “terrorist organisation” (the banned opposition party Viet Tan). His wife opines that the reason for her husband’s arrests was his opposition to bauxite mining [fr] by a...
China: 7 Departments on censorship
Isaac lists out in Twitter 7 government departments that are responsible for censorship in China.
Russia: Landscape and Trends of Online Transparency Initiatives
Alexey Sidorenko analyzes the five main groups of the Russian transparency projects: official and semi-official transparency websites; chaotic transparency communities; online representation of civil activism NGOs; next-generation transparency and civil rights activism social networks; and Ushahidi-based projects.
Hungary: Citizens Protest Against Auchan Shopping Mall
Marietta Le posts an update on the ongoing efforts by Hungarian citizens to save the Dunakeszi marsh, which would be destroyed if Auchan Hungary's expansion continues as planned.
Bahrain: Who is Ali Abdulemam?
Bahraini blogger Hussain Yousif describes his jailed friend blogger Ali Abdulemam in this post. For more details on Ali's arrest, read this.
Bahrain: Access to Political Societies Websites Blocked
Bahrain has blocked access to countless websites, blogs and the websites of political societies, ahead of parliamentary elections. Mahmood Al Yousif comments on the development here.
Russia: “Web of Justice”
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
“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’
“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
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....
Iran:Derakhshan sentenced to 19.5 years in prison
According to [fa] Mashregh News Hossein Derakhshan, Iranian jailed blogger, was sentenced to 19.5 years in prison. Read more here.
China: Uncensored District Government Website
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.
Music: CD Brings together banned and censored musicians
Listen to the Banned is a music CD bringing together musicians who have been banned, censored or imprisoned due to their music. It features artists from Afghanistan, Cote D’Ivoire, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Pakistan, Palestine, Sudan, Turkey, Uighurstan and Zimbabwe.
Guyana: Leadership Style
“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…”
Bahrain: BlackBerry News Services Banned – Again
“Bahrain’s authorities have ordered a BlackBerry news provider to stop his services, citing violations of the media laws,” writes Habib Toumi. This is the second time this service is banned.
Russia: Gay Activists Protest on Luzhkov's Birthday
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
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.
D.R. of Congo: Okapi Radio, Winner of “Free Media Pioneer” Awards
The International Press Insitute (IPI) has granted Okapi Radio, the UN Radio in D.R. of Congo, with a "Free Media Pioneer" Award. The radio has been broadcasting since February 2002 to contribute to the peace-building process in DRC.
Saudi Arabia: Licence to Blog!
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
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
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
