Stories about Freedom of Speech from August, 2016
Journalist Jean Bigirimana Is Still Missing as Burundi's Political Crisis Continues
The government's denial of Jean's detention has left his friends and colleagues fearful that authorities may be concealing information on his whereabouts or death.
Death Penalty Still Looms for Mauritanian Blogger Who Spoke Out Against Caste-Based Discrimination
"This sentence signifies a step backwards in terms of tolerance and shows just how much issues of cast, religion, slavery and therefore democracy are taboos in Mauritania."
Nigeria: Curbing the Tide of Ethnic Hate — Online and Off
Nigeria is the most active African country for political conversations on Twitter. That vibrant digital sphere, however, is fraught with hate speech.
In Nigeria, You Risk Arrest If Your Dog Has the Same Name as the President
"Anyone that is still in doubt about the political nature of this case should search his inner conscience closely."
Wife of Persecuted Labour Activist Goes to Trial Over Facebook Post
The wife of a labor activist has been charged with posting “insulting” content on Facebook even though she is not a member of the social media site.
Activists and Government Divided Inside and Outside of Honduras About the “Berta Cáceres” Law
Lawmakers want to "suspend US aid to Honduran police and military until human rights violations by security forces cease and those responsible for of such crimes are brought to justice.”
Independent TV Station and Two Community Radio Stations Suspended Amid Disputed Elections in Zambia
"Zambia is slowly becoming a court room. We all must be careful when we speak out on issues of national interest."
The ‘Different Yet Equal’ Protest Politics of Sri Lanka
The vigil highlighted that the insecurity felt by some Sinhala Buddhists continues to persist, despite the fact that they remain the country's majority community.
Say Hello to Thailand’s New Constitution. And Say Hello Again to Thailand’s Military Rule.
By all accounts, Thailand’s new constitution boosts the dominance of the military, threatening to institutionalize even further a culture of censorship and state control over the media.
In India, a Nationalistic ‘Witch Hunt’ Targets Journalists Who Exposed #BabyLift Trafficking Operation
According to its constitution, India is a secular republic with freedom of expression, but it also prohibits anything that hurts religious or ethnic sensitivities.
Defying Web Censors, Chinese ‘Worship’ Toads to Mark a Former State Leader’s 90th Birthday
"While the toad's era was not free, it looked better than [Xi's] era...Chinese people worshiping the toad is similar to prisoners in confinement, missing their brief outdoor recess."
Online Petition Against Russia's Draconian Anti-Terror Laws Tops 100K Signatures
Those who signed the online petition expressed solidarity with Russian ISPs and mobile providers who say the Yarovaya laws will hurt both the Internet industry and the RuNet users.
Empathy for the Enemy and the Oppressed: Political Pop Songs from the Eighties
A look back at seven pop hits from the 1980s that pack a political punch.
Justice as Usual, or Attack on Free Speech? Debunking Singapore’s Contempt-of-Court Bill
"Leaving people confused over what can or can’t be said will have a chilling effect, whatever the intention of the law, further entrenching a culture of self-censorship and passive citizenship."
Hong Kong Election Officials Disqualify Six Legislative Candidates for Not Being ‘Loyal’ Enough to China
"Would anyone on earth want his or her fate to be determined by others? Only a lackey would think so."
Bangladesh Shuts Down the Internet, Then Orders Blocking of 35 News Websites
“As part of the ongoing exercise, all sorts of Internet connections will be suspended for a short period anytime at any place in the country.”
Anonymous Eritrea: Communicating in a Paranoid State
Many believe that the state can monitor any Eritrean, in any corner of the world. The regime has successfully portrayed itself as omnipresent—this is fundamental to its survival.
Bad Laws Are Contagious: Demystifying the UAE’s New Information Tech Law
Preceded by a wave of VOIP blocking in various Arab countries, the new law comes as no surprise for those familiar with digital policy in the region.
The Week That Was at Global Voices: Pokémon Go Gets Political
This week, we take you to Iran, Japan, China, Mexico and Timor-Leste.
‘This Is a 99.99 Percent Democracy’ and Other Orwellian Newspeak by Thailand's Junta
"The closer to the August referendum, the more intense intimidation gets."
