Stories about Freedom of Speech from July, 2007
Hidden Message To The Burmese Junta Published In MyanmarTimes Newspaper
An ad appeared in Monday's edition of Myanmar Times talking about Myanmar's tourism and its appeal to tourists from Scandinavia . The normal looking ad actually had a hidden message targeted at the ruling junta in Myanmar. Myanmar bloggers posted their reaction to the ad.
Arabeyes: Internet War Continues in Egypt
After harassing, questioning and detaining bloggers, the war on the Internet continues in Egypt, this time attacking where it hurts most - the pocket! This is how Egyptian bloggers react to the hike in prices, which will be introduced in September.
Armenia: RFE/RL closure imminent
Following weeks of protests to avoid getting Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty's off air in Armenia, the authorities are now refusing to sign a new contract for the independent news outlet. Onnik Krikorian has the scoop.
Trinidad & Tobago: Impressions of Chavez
“We do not –many say– yet know the REAL Hugo. But I know what his latest stance on foreign criticism is and there is nothing ambivalent about it.” Young Trinidadian Andre Bagoo shares his views on the Venezuelan leader.
Hong Kong: Cyber bullying
A newspapers editor and blogger Chow Chauli was attacked by some netizens in her blog's comment section because of her criticism in the newspapers about a B.T user “Nike” who uploaded pornographic films in the internet. Some bloggers defined the case as cyber bullying. Florence who was very sympathetic with...
China: Fake baozi news turned into media control
Yang Hang-jun from Horizon 360 comments on the reaction of the party and government officials on the fake baozi news: the propaganda about the news had affected beijing and party image, etc. The writer felt that the issue would turn into an excuse for stricter media control (zh).
China: How to run a standalone blog legally
Joel Martinsen from DANWEI translated William long's blog post which explains the steps and conditions for legally setting up a blog on a standalone domain in China, as the current policy requires standalone websites / blogs have to be registered.
Malaysia: Scaring Online Writers
Rocky's Bru comments on a Malaysian minister's statement that he will use all possible laws and acts to stop bloggers from writing on sensitive issues.
Russia: Corrupt Russian Media
A translation of a piece on the Russian media – at La Russophobe.
Malaysia: Police Report Made Against Political Commentary Site
Susan Loone writes about a Malaysian commentary site Malaysia Today. The current ruling party in Malaysia, UMNO, filed a police report against Malaysia Today. UMNO alleged that the site had material that insulted the King and Islam.
Hong Kong: TELA mission statement
Sun bin digs out Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority's mission statement and points out that the department has deviated from its mission and value.
Hong Kong: Hand off from culture and moral censorship
Erynnyes from Those were they days gave the SAR government an advice that it should keep its hand off from culture and moral censorship. If a piece of work is really unacceptable, it will have to confront public criticism.
Arabeyes: Online Democracy, Water Conservation and Crackdown on Muslim Brotherhood Activists
This week's Arabic translation has good and bad news. On the good side is a pioneering scheme by Jordan to publish draft laws online and give people the chance to comment on them before being passed as legislation while on the bad are stories about more censorship and arrests of student activists in Egypt.
Ethiopia: is the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa blocking a political blog?
Is the UN Economic Commission for Africa blocking a political blog? The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa(UNECA) is collaborating with the Meles government to stifle free speech. The commission's media center where international and domestic journalists get free internet access has blocked this blog. Users who tried to access...
Russia: A Study of Two Generations
Window on Eurasia writes about a Russian study on “the values and aspirations of those who entered adulthood after 2000 [and] those of the slightly older age cohort who became adults in the 1990s.”
China: Individual Domains Blogs are All Illegal
Yee translated a blogger dialogue with Shanghai Communication Administration on phone about the closing down of individual domains blogs because they apply the regulation to forums and BSPs to blogs.
Arabeyes: Saudi Women Fight for Men's Rights
Saudi women are grabbing the headlines once again - this time with a protest to demand the freedom of their husbands and kin arrested under 'terrorism' charges, in the conservative kingdom where women are not even allowed to drive. While newspapers are shying from covering the demonstration, bloggers are coming up with creative methods to spread their demands and concerns.
Iran:Why you do not leave country?
Why you do not leave Iran? It is the question that security agents ask Abdullah Momeni,a key member of Tahkim Vahdat,an important student organization.Rozamaregi who reported [Fa]this news,adds that according to Momeni's family he was beaten up and is kept in an isolated cell.
Barbados: Blog Gag Order?
Barbados Underground learns that that a gag order has allegedly been imposed on government ministers who have been interacting with the public via certain blogs.
Hong Kong: Another Scandalous Advice from TELA
ESWN translated local reports on another scandalous advice given by Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority (TELA) about distribution of indecency in the annual international book fair. This time their target is a classical painting of Cupid and Psyche.
UAE: Sex and Dubai Blog Banned
UAE blog Sex and Dubai has been blocked by authorities and its authors are asking for the ban to be lifted here.
