Stories about Freedom of Speech from December, 2022
For school New Year's Eve parties in Moscow, some music is apparently deemed inappropriate
The list includes 29 artists. Some of them, such as Little Big and Manizha, represented Russia at Eurovideo contest. All of them have explicitely condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Climate change, digital authoritarianism and disinformation campaigns ruled in South Asia in 2022
With 2022 nearly over, situations in countries like Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka were extremely difficult. So, what did this year hold in store for South Asia? Read on.
Turkey, a year in review: Battling both at home and abroad
With just six months ahead of general election in June 2023, it remains to be seen whether the country and its people will witness change and better days ahead.
Police in Azerbaijan detain protesters on the day of activist's trial
On December 23, as an appeals court in Baku ruled to keep Hajiyev behind bars, a group of supporters attempted to stage a protest in support of Hajiyev.
A fact-check of India’s socio-political undercurrents: the case of Zubair
The reactions and subtle usage of language and labelling by and of different actors in the Indian ecosystem symbolise the undercurrents in Indian society.
Hong Kong launches a national security legal battle against media tycoon Jimmy Lai
"Jimmy Lai, a 75-year-old media tycoon, is PRC's no.1 national enemy in Hong Kong...He may not be able to get out of prison alive."
Twitter Space: What’s next for the Aragalaya movement in Sri Lanka?
Read excerpts from our Twitter space on Sri Lanka's notable Aragalaya movement. Find the full audio here.
Indonesia's new penal code revisions don't just threaten sexual freedoms
Indonesia's recent penal code revisions threaten journalists, free speech, bodily autonomy and more — severely undermining democracy in the region.
Hong Kong national anthem mixup causes chaos at international sporting events
The Hong Kong government vows to ensure the search results of Hong Kong's national anthem point to China's anthem, “March of the Volunteers,” rather than the protest song, "Glory to Hong Kong."
Rasha Azab and her friends: Seven days off-script for three Egyptian journalists
Three women journalists staged a sit-in to remind the Egyptian Journalists Syndicate of its role in relation to political discourse and freedom of expression under President Abdel Fattah
Azerbaijan arrests prominent political activist ahead of International Human Rights Day
Prominent activist Bakhtiyar Hajiyev is facing a possible three-year jail sentence if found guilty on two separate charges — hooliganism and contempt of court. Activists say the arrest is politically motivated.
Australian PM Anthony Albanese adds to growing political pressure to #FreeJulianAssange
The Australian PM has finally talked about Julian Assange ... and while distancing himself from Assange’s well-motivated actions, has said he has raised it with representatives of the US administration.
In defense of whom? Protesting Jordan’s perpetual state of emergency
Human rights groups challenge Jordan's Defense Law but the government wants to keep it in place until the World Health Organization has declared the pandemic finished.
Freedom of expression in Tanzania is on a downward spiral
In Tanzania, freedom of expression is a constitutional right of every citizen that has however been undermined by the continuous passing and enacting of a series of repressive regulations over the years.
Popular TikToker Nekoglai tells of torture by Russian police
The TikToker's example shows that videos with some political and oppositional content may be as popular among young audience as entertainment ones.
Activists strive for data protection in Indonesia
"... there is a long way to go to achieve stronger data protection in Indonesia."
Nigerian student arrested after calling First Lady ‘fat from corruption’ on Twitter
Last year, the Nigerian government suspended Twitter for seven months, lifting the embargo in January after Twitter agreed to the conditions made by the government, which further clamps down on the digital rights of Nigerian citizens.
China’s foreign interference narrative fails to successfully demonize the nationwide anti-zero COVID protests
"...if there are foreign forces, they will not incite people to protest...they should wish the lockdown last for a decade until the country and its people become so poor..."
Istanbul's Uyghur community protest outside the Chinese Consulate despite the cost of reprisals
Today's demonstration comes at a great risk amid fears of retribution for the members of the Uyghur community living in Turkey.