Stories about Freedom of Speech from November, 2014
Selfies, ‘Sandwich Parties’ and ‘The Hunger Games': How Activists Have Challenged Thailand's Martial Law
Six months have passed since the army grabbed power and declared martial law in Thailand. During this time, Thai citizens have used various forms of protests against the junta.
‘TusovochkaNews’ Delivers Russian Journalists Some Badly Needed ‘Self-Irony’
“The media space in Russia has narrowed to just a couple hundred people who gossip about each other. Sometimes these people don’t get enough self-irony,” TusovochkaNews’ creator told RuNet Echo.
The Story Behind Iran's Censorship Redirect Page
When Internet users in Iran try to access a blocked website, they're taken to www.peyvandha.ir. The page has changed throughout the years, reflecting the government's evolving approach to censorship.
Authorities Take Healthy Milk Activist to Court in Serbia
Serbian authorities have increasingly been calling online activists in for questioning. Now activist Marko Živković is being called into court for publicly complaining about milk regulations 20 months ago.
In Cricket-Crazy India, Basketball Is Quietly Empowering Girls’ Lives
Meet the girls of Gangyap, who are national level champions in basketball, a sport that was foreign in their remote mountainous village until recently.
The Ferguson Protests are Actually About Russia (According to the RuNet)
The controversial grand jury decision in the Ferguson case generated much discussion on social media in the US. Turns out, the RuNet users had opinions as well.
The Silent Crackdown on Serbian Media
"Censorship is no longer a relic of the past, it's the present that we must fight against."
Venezuela: Draft Law Would Criminalize Online Protest, Remove Checks on Surveillance
Under the law, a person using digital media to “promote or attack the constitutional order” or “disrupt public peace” could face between one and five years behind bars.
In Putin's Russia, Hell Is Other Liberals
The speed and vigor with which Russia’s intelligentsia turned on Alexey Venediktov in such a short time would be nothing short of amazing, were it anything unusual in Moscow.
‘Humour Is a Sharp Weapon Challenging an Authoritarian Regime’
Chinese political cartoonist Biantailajiao, who now lives in Japan after being labeled a traitor in mainland press, says dictators have no sense of humour.
11-Year-Old Girl Starts Petition Calling for Mexican President's Resignation
An 11 year-old Mexican girl decided to collect signatures calling for the resignation of the president of her country, Enrique Peña Nieto, due to his handling of the disappearance of 43 trainee school teachers.
Opposition Representatives Propose “Freedom from Fear” Law in Serbia
Nineteen representatives of the Serbian National Assembly filed a proposal for a new law that would guarantee Serbian citizens freedom from fear. While freedom from fear is allegedly a right guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia, some ruling politicians in Serbia have brought it into question in...
Over 2000 Macedonian Students Celebrated International Student Day in Protest
Over 2000 students went into the streets of Macedonian capital Skopje on November 17 to march against the decision of the government to impose external testing in the country's universities.
One Year Later: Ukrainians Remember Euromaidan Online
On November 21, the official start of Euromaidan a year ago, Ukrainians flocked to social media to remember and reflect on the protests and their aftermath.
University Teacher Unpopular with Islamist Hardliners Is Killed in Bangladesh
Professor Shafiul Islam, a professor of sociology in Rajshahi University was attacked with a machete by unknown assailants outside his home in Rajshahi city on November 15. He died from his injuries in a nearby hospital some hours later. According to news reports, the professor led a push to ban students wearing...
Burkina Faso Is Taking Steps Toward Democracy (and Africans Are Taking Note)
Since the ousting of President Blaise Compaoré, who held power for 27 years, ex-diplomat Michel Kafando was chosen by consensus to lead the transitional period until the next elections.
Musicians Seen As “Pro-Russian” Are Not Welcome in the UK and Latvia
When singer Valeriya arrived at the Royal Albert Hall for her concert, which she was supposed to perform with Iosef Kobzon, she was met with over one hundred anti-Putin protesters.
Fake ‘Ukrainian’ News Websites Run by Russian ‘Troll Army’ Offshoots
A new investigation of Russia's information war has revealed fake 'Ukrainian' news sites are actually hosted, operated, and staffed in Russia without any local correspondents.
Critical Independent Theater Company Faces Eviction in Moscow
"There [was] no reason [given], and it is not indicated on the termination (statement). Therefore, I conclude that it has something to do with plays."
Lugansk News Today: One Man's SEO Battle with Russia Today
Lugansk News Today has been blogging about Eastern Ukraine in English since August, to inform people about events in his hometown, and to knock RT off the Google top results.
There's a Dark Side to Alibaba's Massive Profits in China
Alibaba made $9.3 billion on China's Single's Day, a popular online shopping day. But much of its success is due to its cooperation with the Chinese government in punishing dissidents.
