Stories about Freedom of Speech from August, 2012
Blogs Blocked in Vietnam
Aaron Joel Santos, a blogger in Vietnam, writes about the blocking of numerous blogs in the country: “A lot of blogs seem to be blocked in Vietnam at the moment. And mine is among them. Not for anything said or posted or alluded to or hinted at. Mine is simply...
Graffiti in Times of Crisis
In the current economic crisis, graffiti in several cities is rife with social messages. Here is a sample of some urban artwork.
South Korea: Controversial Launch of Online Music Video Rating
South Korean authorities have launched a new ratings system for music videos posted online. The new bill requires every music video (or promotional video) and even movie trailers to be rated prior to upload. Failure to comply could result in up to two years in prison or a hefty fine.
Russia: Zombies Versus the State in Omsk
Early last Sunday morning in the city of Omsk, a few hundred youths gathered together for a flashmob. Police were on hand to warn everyone that they represented an illegal assembly, and could be charged with breaking the law. Why had roughly 300 people come together? The answer to that question is the "Zombie Parade": the city's first attempted 'walk of the living dead.'
Argentina: A Public Ethics Law for Journalists?
Through the use of national broadcasts, President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner makes announcements about the achievements of her government and speaks on various topics. During her last national broadcast President Fernández suggested the creation of a public ethics law for the practice of journalism, a proposal that caused numerous reactions from Argentine bloggers and journalists.
Turkmenistan's ‘Nepotistic Cleptocracy’
On video blog bloggingheads.tv, Joshua Foust of Registan.net speaks to a Turkmen dissident living in exile about the political situation in Turkmenistan.
India: Government Bans Bulk SMS To Stop Rumors
Medianama reports that the Ministry of Home affairs of India has banned bulk SMS and MMS for a period of 15 days. This directive came after reports revealed that rumors are being spread following violence in Assam, leading to mass exodus of people from the North-East region, from several Indian...
Togo: Is Your Mobile Phone Tapped ?
Syvlio Combey, a human rights activist in Togo, shares tips (via Allain Jules) on how to determine whether your mobile phone is tapped [fr] in Togo. Togolese citizens have been subjected to various forms of Human Rights violations by the police in the past couple of months.
Korean Protester Being Chased and Beaten by Japanese Right Wing Groups and Gangsters
At this year's Korean Independence day, a Korean guy held a one-man protest at the Yasukuni shrine in Japan, a symbolic and controversial place for worshiping war criminals from the Second World War. A net user living in Japan posted photos of how the protester was being chased and beaten...
Yemen: Open letter to president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Al-Hadi
Yemeni-Canadian Doctor and novelist Dr Qais Ghanem addressed a letter to the Yemeni president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Al-Hadi asking him to sack the officers controlling the armed forces. The full text of the letter is available here [ar].
Guyana: Linden Protests Intensify
The protests in Linden, Guyana have intensified with the recent burning of buildings. Netizen commentary suggests that what began last month as a peaceful demonstration about increased electricity rates has broadened into political wrangling, while bringing to the fore serious questions about the power of the police and the military.
Ecuador Reacts to Assange Asylum
"they talk so much about freedom of expression when in our own country IT DOESN'T EXIST!" - An Ecuadorian netizen criticizes the government's decision to grant asylum to the founder of Wikileaks. Some are celebrating the bold move as well.
Malaysia: Government Vows to Review Web Censorship Law After Protest
Responding to the blackout protest organized by netizens, the Malaysian government has vowed to review a controversial amendment in the law which critics say would restrict internet freedom in the country.
Bulgaria: The Red Army Supports Pussy Riot
On the day of the verdict in the Pussy Riot trial, Russian embassies worldwide are seeing demonstrations in support of the incriminated punk band members. The Red Army Monument in the capital of Bulgaria, Sofia, has joined in: a picture of it with some of the soldiers wearing Pussy Riot-styled...
Indonesian Street Art Database
The Indonesian Street Art Database is a project that documents street art and urban art culture in Indonesia. One of the themes in the past was to promote tolerance in response to religious violence in the country
Ecuador Grants WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange Asylum
After much anticipation, Ecuador announced it will grant political asylum to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Assange is currently inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London. Twitter has been buzzing with reactions from citizens and the main protagonists in this case, like WikiLeaks, Julian Assange, and the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Ecuador Grants Political Asylum to WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange
#AsiloAssange (Assange Asylum) is a local Trending Topic on Twitter in Ecuador as netizens from all over the world react to Ecuador's decision to grant asylum to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. “Gracias a Ecuador” (“Thank you Ecuador”), the words tweeted by an unofficial Julian Assange account (@JulianAssange_), is a worldwide...
Mauritania: Using Twitter to Mock the President
On August 6, President General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz appeared on national television - while police attacked a journalist who was covering the assault and arrest of a guest who called upon the General to leave. Local Twitter users followed and commented in real time.
Egypt: Essential Academic History Book Banned
The Egyptian authorities have banned the import of A History of the Modern Middle East by eminent academics William L Cleveland and Martin Bunton without giving reasons for the ban. On Twitter, @Milllyz reacts: “Now that they have banned William L. Cleveland's “A History of the Modern Middle East”, all...
UAE: Human Rights Lawyer Abdulhamed AlKumaiti Arrested
Khalid Ibrahim reports: “#UAE:Prominent HR lawyer Abdulhamed AlKumaiti is targeted because he is as always ready to defend the civil &human rights of the detainees.” And Human Rights Watch executive director Kenneth Roth adds: “UAE strategy to keep 49 activists in prison: arrest their would-be lawyers too. Threat to national...
Yemen: Journalist Mohammed Al Qadhi Arrested while Covering Clashes
Adam Baron tweets: “Alarming news via his Facebook: Yemeni journalist @mohammedalqadhi apparently arrested today while covering clashes at the min of def #yemen”
