Stories about Freedom of Speech from March, 2014
Macedonian Government to Introduce Internet Filtering
Airborne blog commented on the Macedonian government's plan to set up a new company to provide online betting and other gambling to residents of Macedonia: The plan will involve “disabling of betting/gambling online games on foreign web sites”. This blockade is set to last two years beginning in March 2014....
The Appeal of WeChat and Self-Media in China
Tencent’s WeChat, semi-private messaging service has replaced Twitter-like Sina Weibo as a leading channel of alternative information. Tea Leaf Nation has explained the appeal of WeChat and “self-media” in general to young Chinese generation, and the implication of the sudden crackdown.
Inside #SOSVenezuela: “People of the World, Help Us!”
Blogger Kira Kariakin writes about the ongoing protests in Venezuela for Future Challenges. She reviews the protesters' demands, the role of mainstream and social media, and analyzes what's to come.
What Does Russia's Top Blogger Think About Crimea?
Before Alexey Navalny's LiveJournal blog was blocked late last week for breaking the terms of his house arrest, he published a long opinion piece on the situation in Ukraine.
The Hidden Rules of Chinese TV Series Censorship
Chinese film and TV directors often blame strict censorship for losing domestic viewers. But what limits do censorship place on the content of Chinese TV series?
GV Face: Happy 25th Birthday, Web!
What's the difference between the Internet and the Web? Why is an open web so important? An all-star panel of techies and rights defenders talks it out on GV Face.
Update: Russia Blocks Fifth Liberal Website
Russian ISPs blocked the website of the liberal radio station Echo Moskvy.
Russia Blocks Four Opposition Media Portals
"I don't even know if anyone is reading this anymore." - Putative opposition leader Alexey Navalny in his blog which was blocked today by order of Russia's Attorney General's office.
Syria: I Am Aleppo, Aleppo Is Me
"Aleppo and I are alike: worn down, full of fire, confused," writes blogger/activist Marcell Shehwaro, in the first article in a series about life in Syria during the ongoing conflict.
Activists Mobilize for Passage of Brazil's Internet Bill of Rights
Internet rights activists are in Brasilia today to pressure the National Congress to approve the Brazilian bill of rights for Internet users, known as the Marco Civil. One of them is former Global Voices collaborator Diego Casaes, who works with global civic organization Avaaz and wrote on Facebook [pt] before heading to the capital city: Hoje...
Academics and Experts to Discuss Digital Discrimination in Barcelona
The ICUD International Conference: Digital Discrimination and Social Networks takes place on March 13 and 14, 2014 in Barcelona, Spain. It will be a discussion space for academics, researchers, Internet and sns experts, NGOs, knowledge providers, and anyone interested in the issues surrounding discrimination on the Internet, especially in regards...
Facebook Status Criticizing Crimea Occupation Gets Journalist Fired
Russians ask if Putin can also come "occupy" them, if it means increased funding for the peripheral regions.
Russia's Crackdown Ahead of Crimea's Referendum
Amidst the crackdown, eyes now turn to March 15, when Muscovites will demonstrate against Russian intervention in Ukraine, a day before Crimean voters decide between secession and expanded autonomy.
Mexican Government Censors Website That Documents Human Rights Abuses
The closing of a website that denounces human rights abuses has revealed an alleged censorship collaboration between the Mexican and US governments.
Prep the Tinfoil: Four Hoaxes Shaping Ukraine-Russia Conflict
Yanukovich is dead! American Navy to the rescue! Mars attacks Kiev! Ninjas kidnap the President! Are you a bad enough dude to read this article?
Major Unrest in Burundi ahead of Presidential Elections
At least 19 violent incidents have been documented since the beginning of 2014 in Burundi ahead of the presidential elections. The unrest centers on amendments to the constitution proposed by president Nkurunziza that could allow him to run for a third term. The CNDD-FDD ruling party and its youth wing...
Censorship Instructions During China's “Two Sessions”
Chinese government has issued censorship instructions during the “Two Sessions” to Chinese media. The instructions, which have been leaked and distributed online, include: Do not report hearsay concerning high-level cadres, such as the news on March 2 about Zhou Yongkang; Keep a reliable handle on the developments in Ukraine. CHINA DIGITAL TIMES has translated the instructions into...
Countering Hate Speech in Tokyo's Koreatown
Shin-Okubo, a district in Tokyo with high concentration of ethnic Korean residents, has been experiencing an escalation of anti-Korean protests by some extremely racist citizen groups in recent years.
Protesters in Brazil: ‘There Will Not Be a World Cup!’
"Our purpose is to stop the World Cup! To show nationally and internationally that the popular power does not want the Cup!" Agência Pública reports on this movement.
Russia's Fight on Oscar Night
Russia's Channel One canceled the live Oscars broadcast, and cut part of Jarod Leto's speech in the recording. Was it planned?
Unofficial Soundtrack to Venezuela's Protests: La Vida Boheme
The music of the Venezuelan rock band La Vida Boheme has surged in popularity, becoming the unofficial soundtrack to the protests.
