Stories about Freedom of Speech from May, 2014
Only in Thailand: Coup Without a Coup
The Thai army declared martial law across Thailand to solve the country's political crisis but it insisted that there was no coup.
Ethiopia: #FreeZone9Bloggers Trending on Tumblr
Global Voices Advocacy started a Tumblr in early May to rally support for nine bloggers and journalists — four of them Global Voices members — who are currently being detained in Ethiopia because of their work. Allies from across the globe have submitted photos, messages of solidarity, videos and artwork...
The Courageous Career of Slain French Photojournalist Camille Lepage
Camille Lepage was killed while covering the conflict in the Central African Republic. As a journalist, she was determined to cover stories in Africa often ignored by western media.
Pakistan's Sindh Province Still Wants to Censor WhatsApp, Viber and Skype
Aamir Atta at ProPakistani reports quoting local media houses that social media applications like WhatsApp, Viber and Skype may be blocked in Pakistan's Sindh province to maintain law and order. The Sindh government had proposed a similar ban in October last year, citing security concerns. However, experts say because a...
Guyana: Remembering Walter Rodney
I wish I could wish you a good afternoon. But I believe that if I could hear souls whisper…Dr. Rodney’s soul would say that it is not a good day. How can it be…when our children are being raped, beaten and shot…when the nation witnesses such injustice in silence? Sara...
“Ban” From Barbados Central Bank Prompts Defense of Press Freedom
Barbados' Central Bank Governor attempts to strip a newspaper of its privileges, prompting a barrage of blog posts questioning his suitability to the post and supporting freedom of the press.
Southeast Asian Journalists Speak Out for Press Freedom
The views expressed by Southeast Asian journalists highlighted the continuing challenges and even growing difficulties faced by the press in the region.
Spanish Government Threatens to Censor Social Media
Many politicians have been offended by comments on Twitter on the assassination of the president of the Province of León, and demand a greater control of social media.
Being Gay in a Homophobic Caribbean
Today is the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. Two regional bloggers have taken note; one shares his experience of what it is like to be gay in the Caribbean.
Sultan Suleimanov on the RuNet's Last Chance
Suleimanov attended an invitation-only meeting at Roscomnadzor, the Russian government's chief censorship agency, which is tasked with enforcing a series of recent laws that limit the freedom of information online.
Countdown to the End of Twitter in Russia
The deputy director of Russia’s chief censorship agency, Roscomnadzor, has threatened to order a block on Twitter or Facebook entirely, in a matter of minutes.
Why Chadian Students Braved Arrest and Stormed Their Embassy in Algeria
Hisham Almiraat interviews blogger Makaila Nguebla about student leader Issa Kelei's arrest and the condition of Chadian students in Algeria.
GV Face: Freeing Ethiopia's Zone 9 Bloggers
Nine bloggers and journalists -- four of them Global Voices members -- are currently being detained in Ethiopia because of their work. Learn how you can support the #FreeZone9Bloggers campaign!
Macedonian Site Takes Satirical Stance on Freedom of Expression Issues
Macedonia has a long tradition of humor, caricatures and satire, including hosting of the World Gallery of Cartoons. With the appearance of new media, many aphorisms and satirical tales are now modified into tweets and Facebook statuses, while the classical forms of caricatures, jokes, and short stories have given way...
South Korean TV Reporters Apologize for Their Flawed Ferry Coverage
Young journalists for KBS (Korea Broadcasting System) have confessed that their ferry disaster reports were biased and too pro-government.
Japan's Yu Terasawa Named ‘Information Hero’ by Reporters Without Borders
Reporters Without Borders, a France-based non-governmental organization that defends freedom of information and freedom of the press, has for the first time created a list of 100 Information Heroes. From Japan, Yu Terasawa was among them. He is an investigative journalist and has written books exposing police corruption. Reporters Without Borders...
Ugandan Bloggers Demand the Release of Ethiopian Bloggers
Ugandan bloggers Prudence Nyamishana, Javie Ssozi, Florence Naluyimba, Muwonge David and Chris Igune delivered a letter to the Ethiopian ambassador in Uganda demanding the release the jailed Ethiopian bloggers and journalists: #Ugandan #bloggers demand for the release of #Zone9Bloggers in #Ethiopia. We went to meet the ambassador but he's out...
Two Activists Arrested During Electoral Crackdown in Algeria
Mohand Kadi and Moez Benncir had the misfortune of sipping a coffee on a terrace at the same time as opposition movement Barakat! staged a demonstration ahead of presidential elections.
Join the #FreeZone9Bloggers Tweetathon on May 14
Join Global Voices bloggers for an Africa-wide tweetathon in support of the nine bloggers and journalists arrested in late April and currently being detained in Ethiopia.
Maldives’ Morality Police Target Youth
Maldives has one of the most youthful populations in the world with more than half of the population under the age of 25. But a lot of them are being increasingly harassed by moral policing by the society and the authorities, reports Dhivehi Sitee blog.
‘Worsening’ Human Rights Situation in Vietnam
The Vietnam Human Rights Network released its 2013 report about the ‘worsening’ human rights situation in Vietnam: …the human rights situation in Vietnam took a turn for the worse in 2013. The number of people detained for political views contrary to those of the ruling party increased, unabated police violence...
