Stories about Freedom of Speech from December, 2014
Protests, Blackouts, and a Bill of Rights for the Internet: Advox in 2014
In 2014, the Global Voices Advox team covered more stories than ever before. From Egypt to Ethiopia to Tajikistan to Turkey, our authors wrote what they saw on the ground, on the Internet, in court and behind bars. Here are some highlights from this incredible year of advocacy for free...
As Elections Approach, Zambia Sees Rising Social Media Hate Speech, Ethnic Tension
"This electoral campaign period has brought out some sad realities about us as people."
Hijacked Printers in Eastern Ukraine and Russia Print Pro-Ukraine Messages
Ukrainian hackers are fighting the Russian-led occupation of Donbas and Crimea by occupying security cameras and hijacking networked printers in Eastern Ukraine and Russia.
Can Women Be Sexy and Hold Public Office in Jamaica?
Lisa Hanna, Jamaica's minister of youth and culture, has faced criticism for posting a photo of herself in a swimsuit and T-shirt on Instagram.
With Protesters Under Threat, Hong Kong Must Increase Transparency on Personal Data Requests
Protester arrests highlighted the opaque practices under which the city's law enforcement agencies and online service providers handle Internet user data.
New Protest Facebook Page Already in Place as Kremlin Moves Navalny Verdict Forward
As thousands of Russians joined a January 15 protest against the verdict in the trial of opposition leader Navalny, the court suddenly moved the verdict announcement to tomorrow, December 30.
Post-Umbrella Revolution's Politics Reflected in the Newly Launched Stand News
With tensions still sky-high in Hong Kong, the newly-formed Stand News may seek to chart new political and journalistic territory.
Pro-Democracy News Site's Relaunch After Umbrella Revolution Raises Eyebrows in Hong Kong
House News' founder shut down the site in July, saying he was 'terrified' of political pressure from Hong Kong and Beijing authorities. He's now rebranded the site as Stand News.
Cuban Dissidents Harbor Hope, Fear and Fury Over US-Cuba Reconciliation
"Cuba is not a computer in which you can install new software and expect it to work differently," says one prominent human rights advocate.
I Have Never Known A Cuba That Wasn't Blockaded
A personal take on the rapprochement between the United States and her native land by Cuban journalist and activist Sandra Alvarez.
Hate Crimes on LGBTI People in Macedonia Spark ‘Body Bag’ Protests
In October, masked hooligans assaulted a celebration organized by an LGBTI group in Skopje, wrecking a cafe and beating up several people. Police have sat on their hands.
Democratic Republic of Congo's Dr. Mukwege: ‘How Can One Stay Silent’ in the Face of Sexual Violence?
Dr. Denis Mukwege moved some European parliament members to tears with his speech accepting the 2014 Sakharov Award on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
Facebook and Twitter ‘Won't Block’ Navalny in Russia, As Kremlin Continues to Block Protest Mentions
Tv Rain reports Facebook and Twitter have decided not to block any more Navalny protest pages, aware that this might mean their whole websites may be blocked in Russia.
Pakistanis Say #ReclaimYourMosques From Radicalism in Rare, Bold Protests
After the horrific Taliban attack on a military-run school in Peshawar that killed more than hundred and thirty students, a controversial cleric refused to condemn the massacre, sparking protests.
Navalny Protest Rally Facebook Event Page Blocked in Russia
Just one day after supporters of Putin critic Alexey Navalny set up a Facebook event page for a protest rally in his support, the page has been blocked in Russia.
#Ferguson Killing Inspires Street Art Throughout the US
A new wave of art with messages of justice have flooded Ferguson, Missouri, in the wake of the police killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown.
The Russian Internet Is Not Free. A New Tax Might Make It Even Worse.
The Russian government is now considering its own variant of an Internet tax, and wants to make all Russian Internet users pay for consuming copyrighted content online.
Freedom of Speech is a Top Target in Erdogan's War on the ‘Parallel State’
In Turkey, 31 journalists and police officers are being charged with directing and founding and belonging to an armed terror organisation.
Serbia Arrests 11 Foreign Human Rights Activists Ahead of Protest
Amnesty International has requested that Serbian authorities release eleven activists from Bulgaria, Finland, and Slovakia who were in Serbia to hold peaceful protests during the CEE-China Summit in Belgrade.
‘Spain Is a Corruptocracy': Netizens Slam Google News Tax
News aggregator Google News has announced the shutdown of its Spanish subsidiary starting December 16, 2014 due to the tax imposed by the new Intellectual Property Law.
After Grozny Gun Battle, Human Rights Defenders in Chechnya Under Attack
Joint Mobile Group is one of Chechnya's last remaining human rights organizations. If it's forced from the republic, the loss to the local population would be difficult to exaggerate.