Stories about Freedom of Speech from March, 2023
India's former opposition leader loses parliament seat over conviction in a defamation case
Rahul Gandhi, the former leader of the opposition Indian National Congress (INC) has been stripped of his membership in India's Lower chamber of parliament, over a speech he made in 2019.
How Russia has changed a year after the invasion of Ukraine
Local politics has been put on the back burner, civil society is in shambles and opposition media is trying to reach Russians while in exile
Like father, like son: Turkmenistan’s new president carries on his predecessor’s repressive policies
The latest developments have further undermined the belief that Serdar Berdymukhamedov will seek to break away from the legacy of his father and pursue a more humane state policy.
What is wrong with Azerbaijan’s mentality towards its women
Regardless of their age, profession, or status, a woman’s life is narrowed down to her body, its worth, and shape. Her dignity and privacy are disrespected and Azerbaijan’s patriarchal, macho mentality supports this.
A Russian girl drew anti-war picture. Now she is in a children's shelter and her dad is under arrest
One year ago, a fifth-grade student, Masha Moskaleva, drew an anti-war picture. Now, her father faces up to three years in prison and Masha may be sent to an orphanage.
How Vietnam’s state trolls are undermining free speech and democracy
"We urge Meta to cross check systematically all reporting on human rights NGOs pages such as Viet Tan to avoid falling in trolls’ trap."
Venezuelan authorities spied on 20% of major telecom's clients
A major telecommunications company released a report giving evidence of privacy abuse on behalf of Maduro's government.
Online gender-based violence: A tool of digital authoritarianism in India
Women journalists in India have been trolled, received death and rape threats, found themselves objectified on apps, and are allegedly targeted by spyware like Pegasus.
In Azerbaijan, journalists unite in saying ‘we do not want licensed media’
The campaign demands that the government repeal the law, alleging it violates Azerbaijan's Constitution, and remove the requirement for registration with the Media Registry.
The new normal after Turkey's earthquake: A TV host and comedian gives his take
The show, relies on daily issues and so it was not at all surprising the new episode that aired on Saturday was all about earthquake.
‘Third World’ and ‘Developing World’ not our chosen identity: Interview with photojournalist Shahidul Alam
"Stereotypes of my people as poor were created blindly by white Western photographers — we can't shift that unless storytellers change their stories." - Shahidul Alam
Against journalists, violence without borders in Kazakhstan
In 2022, dozens of journalists were detained or summoned by the police. And while most of these instances occurred during Qandy Qantar, in some cases they seem specifically targeted.
Women marched in Pakistan despite resistance from authorities and religious groups
Despite encountering some obstacles, women in Pakistan were ultimately able to get permission and come out in large numbers on March 8th for "Aurat March", albeit with certain conditions attached.
Georgians take to the streets as parliament considers new ‘foreign agent’ bill
Hundreds of Georgians took the streets to protest what civil society describe as Georgia's very own "foreign agent" law.
The feminist diaspora's role in confronting human rights violations in Yemen
Despite facing numerous challenges, Yemeni women activists in the diaspora continue to fight for peace and justice in their homeland through their advocacy work.
Hong Kong: Women's workers rally cancelled amid arrest threats
A women’s rights group had planned a rally on March 5, ahead of International Women’s Day. But the rally was abruptly canceled after waves of political pressure emerged.
Arm-wrestling match in Senegal: President Macky Sall and opponent Ousmane Sonko go head-to-head in the presidential elections
Will Senegal, the democratic model for West Africa, suffer the effects of 'third term syndrome' if President Macky Sall stands again after gagging the opposition?
The unspoken racism behind Peru's protests
Quechua-speaking men and women, including those with traditional skirts, ponchos, hats, and distinctive provincial flags, have spearheaded demonstrations calling for the resignation of President Dina Boluarte.
People fleeing from Russia: ‘We were deprived of “home” too’
Valeria considers her story banal: “I left Russia because I can’t and don’t want to be silent, and I don’t want to go to jail for this either.”
Fake Russian fact-checkers spread propaganda about the war in Ukraine
PolitiFact analyzed this website and found its fact-checks that use well-known techniques of Russian propaganda — incoherence, a large number of claims, repetition of statements on obvious untruths — to confuse the public.
