Stories about Freedom of Speech from October, 2017
Fake News Tries to Link Austria's Chancellor-to-Be and Philanthropist George Soros
A known fake news purveyor published disinformation that Sebastian Kurz expelled Soros' Open Society Foundations from the country. It's not the first time fake news producers connected the two.
Albanian Prime Minister Insults Journalists After Parliament Votes to Protect Lawmaker From Arrest
The Albanian Journalists' Union condemned "that such behavior and insulting communication is directly related to the dire situation faced by journalism in Albania."
Czech President ‘Jokingly’ Threatens Journalists With an Assault Rifle Replica
Last Friday, Czech president Miloš Zeman brandished a wooden replica of an assault rifle with the inscription 'for journalists' written on its side. Journalists, however, failed to appreciate the 'joke'.
Tonga Government Accused of Controlling State Media Ahead of Elections
"Government needs to stop using so-called losses as an excuse to apply punitive changes aimed at gagging newsroom and management in a leading public broadcaster of the region."
Thai Historian Could Face 15 Years in Prison for ‘Insulting’ a 16th-Century King
"The military regime just wants to persecute me. They can do anything. So I achieve equanimity. I’m detached. In fact I pity them. I pity those who have power."
Serbian Artists Arrested Following Anti-Authoritarianism Art Museum Protest
Activists were arrested for 'insulting' Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić during the re-opening of a modern art museum in Belgrade.
Netizen Report: Will Egypt’s Jailed Activists Ever See Justice?
Global Voices Advocacy's Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
A ‘Verified’ Social Media Account Can Help Protect Iranian Activists — If They’re Lucky Enough to Get One
Social media companies can do more to protect communities facing online attacks.
Netizen Report: Free Speech Is Under Fire in Catalonia’s Push for Independence
Global Voices Advocacy's Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
‘Are We Still in the Stone Age?’ Cambodians Express Disappointment as Government Bans ‘Kingsman’ Movie Sequel
"This is ludicrous, I can't believe these so-called experts could not distinguish between fiction and reality."
Comical Unintended Consequences of Turkish President Erdogan's State Visit to Serbia
The warm welcome of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić during a state visit this week incited many satirical comments on nationalism and media freedoms.
China's Sina Weibo Hires 1,000 Supervisors to Censor ‘Harmful Content'—Including Women's Legs
"Male users are less likely to be reported, while female users’ selfies, leg photos or waist photos that show off the success of their workouts are subjected to reduced scores."
In Algeria, Two Imprisoned Bloggers Go on Hunger Strike
Freedom of expression and press freedom are under attack in Algeria.
Hong Kong Anti-Communist Magazines Cease Publication After Four Decades
"I wanted to write something but found myself speechless. In an era like this, what can I say?"
Art Exhibitions Fall Into the Crosshairs of Brazilian Conservatives
"Not even in the period of the dictatorship was an exhibition with 263 works by 85 artists closed."
Malaysia Bans Books and Cartoons Deemed ‘Prejudicial to Public Order’
"By banning books that provoke the mind to think critically, this government of ours showed its true color of being an authority of bigotry and anti-intellectualism."
Netizen Report: LGBT People Face Online Censorship and Threats in Egypt, Jordan
Global Voices Advocacy's Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
Is Free Speech an ‘Empty Promise’ in Singapore? Activists Bristle After Police Detain Performance Artist
Under Singapore’s strict Public Order Act, a single person can be held liable for participating in an illegal assembly.
A Yemeni Political Analyst Has Been Held By Houthi Rebels Since August, With No Explanation
Hisham Al-Omeisy is a crucial voice on the ongoing war in Yemen, and its humanitarian cost.
Serbian Groups Stage Blackout to Protest Media Intimidation By Tax Authority
The shuttering of a Serbian newspaper led to physical protest and an online blackout with 150 participating websites.
Ik ‘ta K'op Collective Supports the Technological Sovereignty of the Indigenous People in Mexico's Chiapas State
The project "aims to support the indigenous peoples in remote parts of the Mexican state of Chiapas to have access to [...] technologies to meet their communication and participation needs."
