Stories about Freedom of Speech from March, 2019
Uyghur man bids to save ‘most extraordinary mom in the world’ from Chinese camp
"There is no due process, there is no trial. Nobody knows when they are getting out."
Russian regulators ask VPNs to block blacklisted websites, but most have refused
This defeats the purpose of a VPN, a technology used primarily to help people access censored websites.
#WelcomeHomeAlaa: Egyptian revolution activist Alaa Abd El Fattah released after five years in prison
Alaa was a leading voice among Egyptian bloggers and technology activists in Cairo approaching and during the Egyptian Revolution.
India's elections are right around the corner — and the fake news problem is not going away
Experts have found that many of India's most insidious disinformation campaigns arise from political parties themselves.
Netizen Report: Activists in Pakistan and Malaysia confront online backlash after International Women’s Day events
This week, the EU parliament approved its Copyright Directive, Pakistan blocked mobile services (during a military parade) and Bangladesh blocked Al Jazeera English.
Facebook comment about throwing an egg at Singapore minister triggers police probe
"To be honest, I don't feel much regret. I feel it's a matter of freedom of speech, and that we have a right to voice such opinions."
Tanzania's opposition ‘heavyweights’ are bouncing back to the ruling party
In recent years, defectors from the leading opposition party, CHADEMA, include four members of parliament, 75 councilors and several village chairmen, who have all joined CCM, the ruling party.
China’s press freedom crackdown poses a threat to democracies, says media watchdog
“If democracies do not resist, ‘Chinese-style’ propaganda will gradually invade the world’s media, competing with journalism as we know it.”
Censored on WeChat: #MeToo in China
The term “rice bunny”, which sounds similar to “me too” when spoken in Chinese, was used as a replacement hashtag to get around the censors.
Two years after completing his sentence, Emirati activist Osama al-Najjar remains in detention
Al-Najjar was arrested over tweets calling for the release of prisoners of conscience in the Emirates.
Burundi: Scribble on the president's picture — go to jail
"If I did this in Nkurunziza’s Burundi, I could be jailed."
Welcome to the Venezuelan internet. Luis Carlos and Naky will be your guides.
Through serious analysis and their signature wit, Luis Carlos Diaz and Naky Soto have helped a generation of us learn our digital rights.
Controversy at Malaysia’s Women’s Day march leads to its organizers being probed for sedition
"The government must not take the side of the bullies. Denying a group of marginalised groups their right to participate in democracy is truly an abuse of democracy."
Christchurch massacre brings out the best and worst in humanity
"He may have sought notoriety but we, in New Zealand, will give nothing — not even his name."
Netizen Report: EU activists make a final push to keep the internet filter-free
The EU makes a final decision on copyright rules, Iraq considers a new cybercrime law, and internet activists in Kazakhstan, Egypt and Venezuela face legal threats.
‘Who ordered the killing of Marielle Franco?,’ Brazil asks a year after the councilwoman's murder
"Who ordered the president's neighbor to kill Marielle?"
Russian journalist forced to resign for Telegram channel critical of St. Petersburg authorities
Journalist Maria Karpenko says her editor confronted her about co-running a Telegram channel critical of St. Petersburg authorities.
Activists speak out against Iraq's cybercrime bill
The bill prescribes lengthy prisons sentences, including life imprisonment, for speech-related offences.
Aurat March breaking barriers against patriarchy in Pakistan
Aurat March was a display of power and unity by women who are not seen in public spaces freely and their opinions and demands are almost never heard.
Slovak businessman charged with ordering murder of journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée
"This is a significant step, and a rare one in murders of journalists. We hope authorities keep their promise to bring all perpetrators to justice."
Teen theatre production banned by Russian authorities for promoting ‘non-traditional family relations’
Russia has recently passed a series of socially conservative laws targeting activists, advocacy groups and online media for anything that can be construed as "promoting homosexuality to minors."