Stories about Freedom of Speech from February, 2015
Renowned Chinese Human Rights Lawyer Still Detained After 10 Months
A human rights lawyer who has defended clients ranging from Ai Weiwei to communist party officials, Pu Zhiqiang is now facing criminal charges over his postings on Weibo.
Bangladeshi-American Blogger Hacked to Death in Dhaka
Roy is the second Bangladeshi blogger killed since 2013. Horrifying photos of he and his wife, bloodied and injured on the street, were circulated on social media.
Anonymous Twitter Account Blows the Whistle on Wounded from Ukraine in Russian Military Hospital
An anonymous account on Twitter claiming to be a Russian soldier at a military hospital in Russia is providing undercover reports on the wounded brought from the frontlines in Ukraine.
Lawrence Maxwell, the Chilean Man Who Came Face to Face With Mexican Police Brutality
Lawrence Maxwell was in downtown Mexico City to take part in a peaceful demonstration in support of the missing Ayotzinapa students when he was arrested and threatened by Mexican police.
Belarus Bans Tor and Other Anonymizers
Belarus is banning anonymizers, typically used to circumvent government censorship and reach online resources banned inside the country, including many of the opposition websites.
Egyptian Blogger Alaa Abd El Fattah Sentenced to Five Years in Jail
Prominent Egyptian activist and blogger Alaa Abd El Fattah, an icon of the Egyptian revolution, was sentenced to five years in prison today.
High Hopes and Mixed Feelings About Russia's Oscar Nominee
Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev’s film "Leviathan" has been a critical darling abroad and a key Oscars contender, but in Russia, it has generated a polarizing national discussion.
Kuwait Sentences Opposition Politician Mussallam Al Barrak to Two Years in Jail for “Insulting Ruler”
Kuwaiti opposition politician Mussalam Al Barrak was sentenced to two years in jail for telling the country's ruler that the people would not allow him to practice “autocratic rule.”
US Government Eases Sanctions to Allow Export of Personal Communications Tools to Sudan
The US government has issued a general license amending sanctions on Sudan to allow the export of certain personal communications technologies.
Ali Abdulemam: ‘I Have Not Lost My Identity. I Am Bahraini.’
In late January, the government of Bahrain revoked the citizenship of blogger Ali Abdulemam, along with that of 71 other Bahrainis, many of them journalists and activists.
Cologne's Carnival Parade Tones Down Its Charlie Hebdo Satire
Germany's Carnival is famed for no-holds-barred satire poking fun at politicians or social events. Festival organizers in Cologne mocked themselves for making the decision to tame its Charlie Hebdo float.
Japan Seizes Syria-Bound Photographer's Passport Amid ISIS Fears
This follows the brutal murder of two Japanese nationals by ISIS in January. There is now a vague sense in Japan that some places that are not acceptable for travel.
New Minister Threatens to Shut Down Zambian Independent News Site
The site has been blocked within Zambia on numerous occasions, and reporters have been arrested because of suspected associations with the website.
Denmark at a Crossroad After Two People Killed in Attacks in Copenhagen
Danes are being urged to stand together after a gunman kills two people in attacks on a cafe and a synagogue in Copenhagen on February 14.
A Social Media Timeline of the Copenhagen Killings
Two people were shot dead in Copenhagen during separate events over one weekend. See how the violence unfolded through the lens of social media.
Bangladeshi Publisher Faces Death Threats Over Translation of Controversial Iranian Writer's Book
Riaz Khan pulled the Bangla translation of "23 Years: A Study of the Prophetic Career of Muhammad" after its publication sparked outrage from hardline religious groups, but the threats continue.
Ukrainian MP Pushes for Carbon Copy Of Russian Blogger Law, Meets Resistance
A member of the Ukrainian parliament suggested bloggers in Ukraine should be required to verify information in their posts and disclose their personal data to the authorities.
Emerging Threats in Cybersecurity Legislation in Africa
Access, an international human rights organization is troubles by emerging threats in cybersecurity and data protection in Africa. Ephraim Kenyanitto explains: The Convention was originally scheduled to pass in January...
Were Taiwanese Media Too Quick to Deem Doomed TransAsia Pilots Heroes?
Some netizens thought Taiwanese media coverage of the TransAsia plane crash, which killed at least 40 people, was too sensational.
The Western Hemisphere's Deadliest Country for Journalists
Mexico received the second lowest ranking (after Cuba) in the Americas on the World Press Freedom Index for in 2014.
Two Latin Americans Nominated for Index Freedom of Expression Awards
The communication platform, Courage for Tamaulipas, and Ecuadorian sketch artist, Xavier “Bonil” Bonilla, were the only Latin Americans nominated at the Index Freedom of Expression Awards, which recognizes organizations and...
