Stories about Freedom of Speech from November, 2015
Bangladesh Keeps Blocking Social Media, Threatens New Surveillance Tactics
With the lack of accountability shown by the government, a move towards more stringent controls of the Internet is worrying for the state of free expression in the country.
Russia Considers Tougher Restrictions on Mobile SIM-Card Sales
You already need a passport to buy a prepaid SIM-card in Russia, but regulators want to further restrict SIM-card sales, citing security reasons and the increasing "terrorist threat."
Will Indonesia’s Police Circular on Hate Speech Suppress Freedom of Expression?
"This hands the police a powerful weapon, allowing it to decide what can and cannot be categorized as hate speech, and is absolutely problematic and dangerous."
Are Russian News Media Getting a Boost from Retweet Bots on Twitter?
Analysis indicates the retweet and favorite counts of some of Russia's top news agencies are seemingly being artificially inflated by hundreds of Twitter bots.
Singaporeans Can Now Legally Own and Read ‘Fanny Hill’, but Playboy Is Still Banned
The government lifted the ban for 240 publications but 17 titles remain prohibited for being obscene or contrary to public interest.
‘If There Is One Thing the Angolan Government Is Scared of, It Is People’
Read part two of an interview with Laurinda Gouveia, who is accused of inciting rebellion against the Angolan government for participating in a book group.
With Messaging Apps Still Banned, Bangladeshis Turn to Tor (and Twitter)
It is not clear whether the government has blocked the Facebook portal or banned the use of Facebook altogether.
An Interview With Laurinda Gouveia, a Young Woman Charged With Conspiring Against the Angolan Government
"Even today, physically, I bear physical evidence of this beating. And, obviously, my way of looking at these men is not the same as it was before..."
New Ukrainian Police Banned from Using Russian Social Networks
VKontakte and Odnoklassniki, the top Russian social network sites hugely popular in Ukraine, are now off limits for Ukrainian police officers.
Women at Work: The Collective Now Transforming Hip-Hop in Mexico
A multidisciplinary collective has successfully combated Mexico's stereotypes and faced gender discrimination in the art scene and in Mexican society more broadly.
Netizen Report: Bangladesh Bans Facebook and Chat Apps on ‘Security Grounds’
Bangladesh accidentally shuts down the Internet, hip-hop gets the boot on Chinese streaming sites, and Twitter faces new data dilemmas in Russia.
Global Voices Community: We Stand With Hisham
As long-time friend and community member Hisham Almiraat faces trial in Morocco this week, the Global Voices community pays tribute to a man of unquestionable character, talent and amazing kindness.
Authorities Don't Like This Infographic Showing Why Thailand's Royal Insult Law Needs Reform
Military authorities summoned an editor of the Prachatai news website over the infographic, which they deemed "vague and might cause misunderstanding" in Thailand.
New Bill Urges Ban on WhatsApp and Google for Russian Officials
Banning the use of foreign services such as Google, Yahoo!, and WhatApp for Russian state officials is key to preserving confidentiality of state secrets, says one Russian lawmaker.
When China Briefly Unblocked Facebook, Trolls Rushed In
"I wish this precious experience can help our 'new friends' see a full picture of Taiwan's democracy, freedom and diversity. Welcome, all of you, to the world of Facebook!"
Russian Lawmaker Suggests Banning Telegram Messenger ‘Because It's Used by ISIS’
Should Telegram be banned because it's used by extremist organizations such as ISIS? One Russian lawmaker believes it should, but plenty of others in Russia disagree.
International Tribunal Reopens Indonesia's ‘Forgotten Genocide’
The Indonesian government is accused of orchestrating an anti-communist purge that killed at least half a million people. What kind of reconciliation is possible today?
Global Voices’ Hisham Almiraat Faces Trial in Morocco
Hisham Almiraat, a long-time author and community leader at Global Voices will face trial in Morocco this week on charges of "threatening the internal security of the State."
Russia Changes Its Mind, Asks Twitter to Store Russian User Data Locally
Previously, Roscomnadzor had said Twitter was exempt from the norms of the data localization law as the kind of user data Twitter collects did not qualify as “personal information."
Netizen Report: UN Authorities Pluck Protesters from Global Internet Conference in Brazil
The UN fails to walk the walk on free expression, Tanzanians face prosecution over WhatsApp messages, and the UK rolls out a new surveillance bill that is 'worse than scary'.
Russia's Internet Watchdog May Soon Get More Extrajudicial Website Blocking Powers
Roscomnadzor can already make websites unavailable for Russian users without a court order, but they remain available to users outside Russia—something the new, broader mandate could end.
