Stories about Freedom of Speech from September, 2016
Mexico's Attorney General Secretly Purchased Costly Spyware (Again)
The Mexican government, for many years, allocated millions of dollars to acquiring highly intrusive digital spy technology without being transparent on how they were using it.
Kuwait Detains Activist Sara Al-Drees for Insulting the Country's Ruler
The pro-democracy activist has previously served jail time for the same charge.
Jordanian Authorities Impose Media Gag After Writer's Killing
Jordanian authorities have banned media coverage of the assassination of Nahed Hattar, a writer who was shot dead on September 25 by a gunman in the capital Amman.
This Soviet Cartoon Was Too Much for Romania’s Communist Censors
According to the documentary "Chuck Norris vs Communism," Romania's state censorship board actually banned scenes from an episode of the classic Soviet cartoon "Nu Pogodi."
Sudanese Authorities Use ‘Pornography’ as Evidence in Criminal Trial of Human Rights Advocates
Sudanese authorities are using what they deem as "pornographic" and "immoral" evidence in a trial of ten civil society activists, six of whom are facing capital punishment charges.
Reformist Editor Arrested Ahead of Iranian President’s Trip to the United Nations
Sadra Mohaghegh, the social affairs editor of the reformist Shargh newspaper, is well known for his reports on environmental issues and informative social media postings.
Netizen Report: Internet Shutdowns Are Ever-Present in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula
While telecommunications cuts continue in North Sinai, Russians contemplate a porn-free Internet and a Kuwaiti royal faces jail time for insulting the emir on Snapchat.
The UAE Has Avoided an ‘Arab Spring’ by Systematically Repressing Critical Speech
Wary of an Arab-Spring like uprising within its borders, the UAE government launched an unprecedented crackdown on critics and activists.
He Supported Bombing Syria a Little Too Eagerly, Now RuNet Pioneer Faces Prison
Anton Nossik faces two years in a penal colony for saying that Syria should be "Wiped from the Face of the Earth."
Meet the Street Kids of India Who Have Their Own Paper
"Do media think what a child thinks? Do you know what children want? Do you ever consider these questions?"
Netizen Report: In Cuba, Text Messages With Controversial Content Are Disappearing
Journalist repression is on the rise in Cuba, Saudi bans LINE, and Russian authorities jail gamer for offending religious people, Pokemon-style.
Ghanaian President Vows Not to Shut Down Social Media During Elections
Ghanaian president John Mahama has assured the nation that social media will not be shut down during elections due to take place on December 7.
Ukrainian Ministry of Information Policy Thanks Facebook Bots for Their Hard Work
The Facebook bot war between Ukraine and Russia rages on. Will the Russian government find a way to crack down on spammers?
Puerto Ricans’ Struggle Against US-Imposed Austerity Heats Up
"It is a huge disappointment to see our fellow Puerto Rican policemen brothers being used as pawns to repress their own people."
Maldives Authorities Target Journalists After Al Jazeera Exposes $1.5 Billion Corruption Scandal
President Yameen and his associates embezzled millions of dollars, bribed judges and other high-level officials, and used influence to remove government workers who stood in their way.
Algerian Court Upholds Conviction of Activist Jailed for Insulting Islam on Facebook
Despite having his sentenced decreased by two years, Bouhafs will still remain in jail for expressing his views.
Hong Kong Lawmaker Receives Death Threat Four Days After Being Elected
NGOs are condemning the persecution of Chu and urging the police to put an end to political violence that threatens the rule of law and freedom of speech.
Detention of News Site Director Raises Concerns for Venezuela's Freedom of Speech
Lawyer and journalist Braulio Jatar was arrested and accused of money laundering, but netizens and journalists believe his reporting on protests against president Nicolas Maduro was the real reason.
Netizen Report: With Gabon's Internet Shutdown, Activists Confront Challenges of Circumventing Censorship
Bhutan makes headlines in Facebook defamation case, Paraguay uses censorship to protect children from the Internet, and Iran enters talks with French telco Orange.
Angered by Mobile App Censorship, Saudis Ask: ‘What's the Point of Having Internet?’
Saudi Arabia, which already blocks WhatsApp, Viber and Skype, has angered users by blocking the messaging and voice calling app LINE.
Cuban Journalist and LGBT Activist Sacked for Working With Non-State Media
"It doesn’t matter where you publish, even if it’s just on your blog. We will always be reading what you write."
