Stories about Freedom of Speech from September, 2013
Opinion Leader Charles Xue Forced to Prostitute Himself on Chinese State TV
Charles Xue's self criticism in front of CCTV reminded many of the "class struggle session" during the Cultural Revolution.
Man Killed as Saudi Arabia Continues Hunt for 23 “Wanted” Persons in Awwamiya
Ahmad Al-Mislab, 19, was killed when Saudi forces stormed Awwamiya, looking for eight out of 23 people "wanted" by authorities, who remain at large.
Kissing on Egyptian Streets
A photograph circulating on Facebook of two young Egyptians kissing in the street stirred both outrage and admiration. Shared by Ahmed ElGohary, a commentator objected to ‘the lack of manhood’ entailed by sharing such photo. Others praised the beauty of it and its revolutionary sense. Public display of affection is...
Comments On The Proposed RTI Bill Of Bhutan
The Bhutanese Prime Minister has sought comments on the proposed Right to Information (RTI) Bill that is due discussed during the upcoming Parliament session. In a long letter to the Prime Minister, blogger Yeshey Dorji comments that Bhutan is not ready for the enactment of the RTI Bill.
500 Retweets Will Now Get You Three Years in Prison in China
Sharing information on the Internet that is defamatory or "harms national interest" could land China's Internet users in jail.
South Korean Film Questioning Warship Sinking Pulled from Theaters
A major cinema chain pulled a documentary film challenging the government's explanation of the Cheonan warship incident. Their move appears to have backfired.
Catalans Around the World Claim Independence from Spain
Catalan communities all over the world are celebrating with human chains to claim independence from Spain.
Story Behind the “Cancelled” Beijing Independent Film Festival
Like other sensitive events, the Beijing Independent Film Festival was announced cancelled but quietly had its full program of screenings and panels held on schedule, except the opening ceremony. Liz Tung from Beijing Cream interviewed the festival's artistic director Dong Bingfeng on the story behind “cancellation”.
Saudi Arabia Monitors its Lawyers Tweets
Saudi Arabia is monitoring tweets by lawyers. Many see this as another blow to freedom of expression and advocating for people's rights in the absolute monarchy.
China: A Question Becomes a Rumor
Fauna from ChinaSMACK translated a report about a rumour crackdown case in Hebei. A woman asking if a murder took place in Louzhuang was arrested and detained for 5 days for spreading rumour and disturbing public order.
Catalans Get Ready for Another Massive Pro-independence Event
Catalan National Day, September 11, is just around the corner. The civic Association Col·lectiu Emma (@CollectiuEmma) has published a statement in English and 9 other languages on its blog. The text explains the current political situation in Catalonia (Spain's far north-east corner) and calls worldwide media to keep an eye...
China: Show Swords in Ideology Battle
The Chinese President Xi Jinping recently launched the party's ideology battle to take over opinion leadership in a meeting of propaganda officials. In the past few days, state-controlled media outlets echoed with Xi's call by using the phrase “showing one’s sword” in their editorials. David Bandurski from China Media project...
Brazil's Occupy Cocó Park Fights to Save Nature Reserve from Construction
Construction of road overpasses over Fortaleza's Cocó Park kicked off with the destruction of almost 100 trees. The ensuing protests and police violence have thrust the park into the spotlight.
Chinese Professor Suspended for Teaching Constitutionalism
It's not the first time that outspoken professor Zhang Xuezhong of East China University of Politics and Law in Shanghai has been penalized for his views.
