Stories about Freedom of Speech from October, 2010
Angola: Journalist Murdered: Repression or urban violence?
On the 5th of September, journalist Albert Graves Chakussanga lost his life at the hands of strangers who in cold blood shot him down inside his house, in the neighbourhood of Viana in Luanda. According to Reporters without Borders, Chukassanga was killed from behind with a gun equipped with a silencer....
The Balkans: Angelina Jolie's Bosnian War Movie
Greater Surbiton writes about “Angelina Jolie's Bosnian imbroglio”; Belgraded reviews “anti-Serb” movies.
Africa: Journalists Still Struggling for Press Freedom.
Reporters Without Borders published the Press Freedom Index today (10/20/2010). The section of the report on Africa mentions that Eritrea is last for the 4th consecutive year and that amongst the French-speaking African nations, Rwanda, DR of Congo, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire and Madagascar show worrisome signs for press freedom. [fr]
Cuba: Plea for Dr. Biscet
The daughter of political prisoner Oscar Biscet pens a letter to President Obama; Blog For Cuba republishes it here, while Uncommon Sense says: “This is the moment for friends of Cuban liberty to speak up and act on behalf of Dr. Biscet and other Cubans imprisoned because of their faith...
China: Woser's acceptance speech for the Courage in Journalism Award
Tibetan writer and blogger Woser has been awarded by the International Women's Media Foundation for its Courage in Journalism Award. Since she is under monitored and cannot travel outside the country to receive the award, she posted her acceptance speech in her blog (English version translated by A.E Clark).
Egypt: Bad Bad Facebook
A TV show discussing Facebook on the Egyptian state-run television channel soon became the source for rumours, mockery, and loads of fun on blogs and Twitter. Tarek Amr has more in this round up of reactions from Egyptian netizens.
China: 50 Cent Party Roams on Internet
Lee Chi-Leung from interlocals.net translated an investigative report written by Chang Lei on the history of government hired online commentators, the so-called 50 Cent Party, in China.
Ukraine, USA: Kuchma and Clinton
Ukrainiana writes about the current political situation in Ukraine, the Gongadze case, and ex-president Kuchma's special relationship with ex-president Clinton – here and here.
Cuba: On Exile
“When, at the turn of the year, the prisons are emptied of political prisoners, for a time they’ll lose the stigma of being human rights violators…they are trying to decrease the size and strength of the dissidence”: Iván's File Cabinet suggests that “the proposal to leave Cuba could be expanded...
Cuba: Incomplete
“The Cuban Catholic Church reported over the weekend that the ‘process to release the 52 prisoners is completed’, says Uncommon Sense, who adds: “But 13 of those prisoners remain in jail, including 12 who repeatedly have insisted they will not accept release if it means having to take forced exile…”
China: A brief guide to censorship
Angry Chinese Blogger writes a very elaborated post on China censorship.
Myanmar: Advocacy video guide
The Witness Blog provides a Burmese version of their training videos that gives human rights activists several tips and techniques on how to document and advance their advocacies.
Brazil: Magazine censored by opposition party
The magazine Revista do Brasil, produced by the Rede Brasil Atual, has been censored by the opposition party, PSDB and its candidate, José Serra, for allegedly campaigning in favour of rival candidate Dilma Rousseff, informs [pt] Conceição Oliveira, in her blog, Maria Frô. Rede released [pt] a note repudiating the opposition's...
Russia: “Siberian Nationalism”
Window on Eurasia writes about “Siberian nationalism” – here and here.
China: Declaration on Liu Xiaobo's award of Nobel Peace Prize
Bullogger contains a declaration on Liu Xiaobo's award of Nobel Peace Prize, signed by hundreds of intellectuals, writers, journalists, lawyers and other citizens, including Xu Youyu and Cui Weiping. It is available in Chinese, English, French and Japanese.
Venezuela: University Students Protest Budget Cuts
University students protested budget cuts in Caracas on October 14. Alejandro Tarrae reports on his blog [es] that he saw hundreds of Police and National Guard troops; he realized why so many security forces where in place when he later saw the multitude of students and professors protesting on the...
Iran: Khazali,blogger and physician was arrested
Mehdi Khazali, head of Iran's Medical Data Bank and son of hardliner, Ayatollah Abolghassem Khazali, was arrested on Wednesday by Iranian authorities. According to [fa] Sedaye Zendani, says Khazali wrote posts against Iranian government.
Serbia: More on Belgrade Gay Pride and Riots
Posts on the gay pride and the rioting in Belgrade this past Sunday, as well as on football hooligans – at CAFÉ TURCO, Gray Falcon, A Yankee-in-Belgrade, and A Slice Of Serbian Politics.
Cuba: Las Damas Members Injured
Bloggers discuss the latest altercation between Cuban authorities and Las Damas de Blanco.
China: More reactions to a first Nobel Prize
Further thoughts on China's first Nobel laureate, Liu Xiaobo, who remains in prison and whose wife is now under house arrest: what the award means for China, its relationship with the rest of the world, and the country's future political game. See also photos of Liu's supporters.
China: Offended by Nobel Peace Prize?
TimMaddog posts an interesting question at Twitter: How can the people of China be “offended” by the Nobel Peace Prize when the news was blacked out in China?