Stories about Freedom of Speech from April, 2016
29 April 2016
South Sudan Is a Dangerous Place to Work as a Journalist
"South Sudan: 7 journalists killed in 2015. No killers brought to justice. No explanation from government."
Cambodia Cancels Screening of Film About Murdered Environmentalist Chut Wutty
"This ban provides yet another example of Cambodia's pervasive culture of impunity, and the lengths that the government will go to preserve it."
Fighting Fear and Hopelessness From House Arrest in Macedonia
A 19-year-old law student placed under house arrest in Macedonia explains why thousands of protesters like him are fed up with the nation's leaders.
27 April 2016
Chinese Big Brother Is Watching You, Even in Australia
"We are concerned that Mr Wu is becoming a victim of the Chinese government’s increasingly intrusive attempts to curb voices of dissent among overseas Chinese."
Mexico’s Controversial ‘Telecom Law’ Is Now in the Supreme Court’s Court
"In a country with a serious democratic deficit and in which public officials are responsible for attacks on journalists and dissidents, these measures could be used to pursue uncomfortable opinions."
26 April 2016
Xulhaz Mannan, an LGBT Activist in Bangladesh, Is the Latest Victim in a String of Brutal Killings
Since 2005, at least 23 bloggers and activists have been killed and scores of others attacked or threatened with death for their progressive and secular views.
Russian Prosecutor General Accuses ‘Right Sector’ of Using Social Media to Overthrow the Kremlin
The Russian Prosecutor General claims that Ukrainian nationalist group "Right Sector" used the Russian social network VKontakte to organize "mass riots and unsanctioned public events."
25 April 2016
A University Professor Is Hacked to Death, Another Victim of Deadly Intolerance in Bangladesh
Rezaul Karim Siddique joins a long list of intellectuals, bloggers and foreigners who have lost their lives in similar killings purportedly carried out by Islamist militants.
Journalist Zoran Božinovski's Supporters Fear Extradition to Macedonia Puts Him at Risk of Torture
"The Serbian government will bear responsibility if Božinovski is exposed to inhuman treatment in Macedonian prisons."
23 April 2016
How Ukraine Is Dealing With the European Refugee Crisis
While Ukrainian officials and right-wing activists use the refugee crisis to win political points and shape public opinion, the Middle Eastern refugees themselves aren't exactly flocking to settle in Ukraine.
Malaysia Will Likely Force ‘Political Blogs’ and News Websites to Register With the Government
Human rights groups and media freedom advocates denounced the proposal as a curtailment of free speech, adding that the move reverses Malaysia's earlier stated commitment to promoting Internet freedom.
21 April 2016
Iranian Journalist Omid Memarian: ‘Turning Explosive Anger Into Something Constructive Is an Art’
"In Iran, you don’t need to go after the authorities to get into trouble. By merely following the common sense line and raising simple questions you could be targeted."
18 April 2016
Dissidents Worry #TwitterisDead After Company Hires Former Chinese Military Officer
"This is a severe threat to the Chinese struggling for free speech."
17 April 2016
Tanzania's Cybercrime Act Makes It Dangerous to “Insult” the President on Facebook
Tanzanian netizen Isaac Habakuk Emily is accused of posting a controversial Facebook message "insulting" the president of Tanzania.
15 April 2016
LGBT Activists Arrested at Bengali New Year March, Later Released
Police held five persons for reportedly suspicious behaviour, alleging that they were trying to initiate a "gay rally".
Cambodian Human Rights Group Criticizes Telecoms Law
Some observers suspect that the law reflects the ruling party's desire to stifle online discussions as elections approach in 2017 and 2018.
12 April 2016
A Breakdown of the Current Version of Brazil's Cybercrimes Bill
Following criticism, the Commission made some changes to the most controversial elements of the legislation. But a battle still lies ahead.
Colorful Rickshaw Paintings Protest Violence Against Women in Bangladesh
"We hope that words will thus roam around places and find their ways into people’s thought, leading us to a better tomorrow."
11 April 2016
Under Brazil's Cybercrime Bill, Social Media Sites Could Become ‘Permanent Agents of Vigilance’
"If somebody insults a politicians on a social media platform, the platform will be obligated to remove the content in a maximum of 48 hours."
Iranian Blogger Struggles for Health and Freedom After 18 Days on Hunger Strike
Anti-censorship activist and blogger Hossein Ronaghi Maleki has been on hunger strike since March 26, and his health is deteriorating rapidly.
