Stories about Freedom of Speech from March, 2022
The media battle raging in Cuba over the Russia-Ukraine war
"Young people are a sector considered a high priority for the Cuban state in its ideological battle"
Unpacking India's struggle with recognizing same-sex marriage
Although India decriminalized consensual same-sex activity between adults in 2018, LGBTQ+ activists are still fighting for their rights because same-sex marriage is not recognized under Indian law.
Thai protesters march against new non-profit organization bill
"The law is being used to silence us and stop us from gathering together. But we still come together in protest and are prepared for whatever charges that follow."
Keeping fakes under control: how legislation on disinformation turns into a censorship tool
In some countries, the legislative initiatives that operate with the terms fake news and disinformation become the instruments of surveillance, the silencing of voices, and the fight against dissent.
Russian opposition leader Navalny calls for continued resistance after receiving 9-year sentence
On March 22, Navalny was sentenced to 9 years in a strict regime colony, where he will be kept isolated with communication with other prisoners and with the outside world.
The Chinese great translation movement: Exposing Chinese propaganda or spreading hate?
Some are concerned that translating hate speech on Chinese social media would fuel anti-Chinese sentiment among western societies, but others believe it can counteract Chinese propaganda.
Russians against war are fleeing state crackdowns
They were concerned about their futures, closed borders, and their livelihoods, but mostly for the friends and family they left behind. The fear of persecution still looms.
How Sudanese resistance committees are shadowbanned on Facebook
The attacks primarily aim to affect public opinion by spreading disinformation, but the last attack aimed at changing the feed's algorithm to hide information on the user’s Facebook timeline.
Recent libel judgement in Trinidad & Tobago deemed ‘a cautionary tale’
"The court must send a message that such reckless abuse of social media platforms must stop."
Bringing diversity to Chinese narratives on Ukraine: A Chinese blogger in Odessa
A Chinese businessman based in Odessa in Ukraine has turned into a blogger with his own anti-Russian invasion views, only to be censored and attacked on Chinese social media
The hijab on Algerian TV: An end to all things French
The move is praised by many Algerians as more reflective of nation's Islamic identity. Experts also say the decision restores hope among young veiled Algerian media students of claiming spots on screen.
Nepal's transgender activist Bhumika Shrestha receives international recognition
Bhumika Shrestha received the 2022 International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award from the US government in recognition of her work for the LGBTQ community of Nepal for the past 15 years.
Women across Turkey demonstrate in annual night march
Despite government attempts to prevent demonstrations from marking International Women's Day, women across Turkey took to the streets demanding equal rights, equal pay, and better protection against gender-based violence.
Why Uyghurs are envious of Ukrainians
What Uyghurs would like to say to Ukrainians: "Don’t abandon arms, otherwise you’ll all be facing death, like us."
Undertones: Russia's feminists rise up
Today, feminists in Russia and abroad are joining forces to protest Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine by mounting a “Feminist Anti-War Resistance” movement.
Russian embassy in Skopje threatens to ‘record’ dissenters from Kremlin official positions, labeled ‘Russophobes’
The Russian embassy in North Macedonia was the only one in the Balkans that reissued a warning by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs that incidents of “Russophobia” "are meticulously recorded.”
Why have attempts to debunk Russian war propaganda on Weibo failed?
China relies on Russian propaganda as the main source of information on the Ukraine crisis. Censorship instruction forbids Sino-Russian antagonism and anti-war declaration. Love triangle analogy has gone viral.
Following invasion of Ukraine, Russia declares war on its citizens
Draconian punishments and social persecution are making it increasingly more dangerous to speak out against the official government narrative.
First Mro language grammar book brings a ray of hope for the indigenous community
This year, the highlight of the International Mother Language Day in Bangladesh was the publication of the first grammar book written in Mro, an endangered indigenous language.
Well known Iranian blogger Hossein Ronaghi goes on hunger strike after his abduction by authorities
Security forces took the blogger away in a raid, without informing his family of charges or his whereabouts. He later appeared in the notorious Evin prison where he was held in 2010.
