· November, 2012

Stories about Freedom of Speech from November, 2012

Will China's New Leadership Bring More Freedom of Press?

  30 November 2012

China Central Television (CCTV) has always been considered as government propaganda. However, the past week has seen progress in its news coverage, including that of Ren Jiayu, a young man who was sent to labor camp for Internet speech. Chinese netizens are wondering: will the new leadership bring more freedom of...

Tortured Sudanese Female Journalist Speaks Up

  29 November 2012

Sudanese journalist Sumaya Ismail Hundosa, 34, was abducted from near her house on October 29, 2012, later to be found thrown inside a mud pit in a remote area in Khartoum on November 2, 2012, five days after her abduction. As the details of Hundosa's unprecedented torture unfolded, Sudanese netizens largely responded with shock and outrage, showing sympathy and solidarity with the journalist, writes Usamah Mohamed

Hundreds Rally Against Anti-Semitism in Hungary

  29 November 2012

On Nov. 27, hundreds of people gathered in front of the Parliament in Budapest (photos) to protest a Hungarian far-right MP's call “for Jews to be registered on lists as threats to national security.” Some of the protesters wore yellow Stars of David. The rally took place despite the removal...

Spotlight on China's ‘Re-education Through Labour’

  28 November 2012

Ren Jiayu, a former village official in Chongqing, who was sentenced to re-education through labour for criticizing the government was released and put under the spotlight of state-controlled media. Many believe it is a showcase for upcoming reform in China after the 18th National Chinese Communist Party Congress.

Television Network Telecinco Sues Blogger in Spain

  28 November 2012

Pablo Herreros, the blogger who a few months ago successfully got sponsors of a television show to pull their advertising until TV executives committed to more ethical behavior, was sued by the TV channel Telecinco. After an uproar surfaced mainly through social media networks, Telecinco has withdrawn their suit.

Angola's Sophisticated Censorship

  28 November 2012

The 37 years of independence of Angola don't translate into more press freedom. Rather, the model of Angolan censorship is getting increasingly sophisticated. The most recent attack was against the "Semanário Angolense" (Angolan Weekly), condemned to the fire for reproducing a critical speech by Isaias Samakuva, the President of the opposition party, UNITA.

China: Top 10 horrible figures of 2012?

  28 November 2012

This week, Chinese internet users come up with their own list of the “10 Most Horrid People of 2012.” The list was shared on Sina Weibo by “Weekly Commentary” [zh]  (每周评论), but was deleted on Nov 26. China Media Project translated the deleted post.  

Spain: Minor Beaten by Catalonia's Police, Call for Minister to Resign

  25 November 2012

The use of force by Catalonia's police force, during November 14, 2012's general strike has brought about a wave of online condemnation. The events, which took place in the middle of an historic electoral campaign, has caused four of the region's political parties to petition for Catalonia's Interior Minister Felip Puig, to resign. One of the more controversial cases is of two minors who were attacked by the police.

Spain: Catalan Newspaper Censors Blog for Reporting Hunger Strike

  25 November 2012

Catalan journalist and Global Voices contributor Lali Sandiumenge recently decided to disassociate her blog on digital activism, Guerreros del teclado or "Keyboard Warriors" from Catalonia's leading daily newspaper, La Vanguardia . The decision came after the publication's editorial staff decided to delete a post explaining a hunger strike in Barcelona by six workers of Telefónica, a telecommunications company in Spain.