Stories about Freedom of Speech from June, 2015
Russian Lawmakers Vote to Support First Draft of ‘Right to Be Forgotten’ Law
Only one Russian lawmaker voted against the new draft law, with other members of parliament overwhelmingly supporting the "right to be forgotten" regulations for search engines.
Arbitrary Arrests, Cybercrime, and Mass Mobile Adoption: Monitoring Digital Rights in Sub-Saharan Africa
Global Voices speaks to Tom Rhodes, the East Africa representative for the Committee to Protect Journalists, about the state of freedom of expression online in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Twitter Discourse Around Putin and Poroshenko in Ukraine and Russia
In a new installment of our citizen-media data-analysis project, All The Presidents' Tweets, we use word clouds to visualize the Russian and Ukrainian discourse around Putin and Poroshenko on Twitter.
Local Chinese Authorities Use Internet Slang ‘Ziganwu’ in Their Propaganda Recruitment
'Ziganwu' are Internet commenters not officially affiliated with authorities but who nevertheless ardently defend the government. China's Sichuan education office has adopted the term as part of recruitment efforts.
Mexico’s Independent Media Crackdown Threatens Indigenous Radio in Oaxaca
Community radio stations devoted to indigenous groups in Mexico once more confront governmental limitations on their work, facing off against elites with a distinct set of political ambitions.
Indonesian Groups Rally Online to Demand Justice for Slain Environmentalist
Following a controversial statement by a spokesperson from Indonesia's Navy, various groups united to form "Solidaritas4Jopi," refuting speculation that Peranginangin's killer could have acted in self-defense.
Hong Kong Social Media Activists Under Fire as Key Electoral Policy Vote Approaches
Local legal experts suspect that authorities are exploiting Hong Kong's cybercrime laws in an effort to suppress political speech online.
Russia Moves Forward on ‘Right to be Forgotten’ Bill Despite Industry Protests
Lawmakers insist on adopting the new legislation that would require search engines in Russia to delete links to information and content online based on user requests.
What Do Global Voices Contributors Think of Turkey's General Election Results?
"Many people, including non-Muslims, Kurds, and women have entered the parliament, which signals the chance for a more respectful, hardworking and equal politics."
Facebook Responds to ‘Stop Political Blocking’ Petition by Russians and Ukrainians
In a statement posted to Change.org on June 8, Thomas Kristensen, Facebook’s director of policy for Eastern Europe and Russia, explained that the social network stands by its moderation policies
Monitoring Mexico's Midterm Elections with #BreakTheFear
During last Sunday's elections in Mexico, the free-speech organization ARTICLE 19 ran a campaign called #RompeElMiedo (#BreakTheFear) to monitor the safety of journalists and human rights activists
After Citizen Uprising in Burkina Faso and Burundi, Are Niger and Togo Next?
20,000 Nigeriens took to the streets in Niamey, Niger on June, 6. There are multiple causes for the protests: endemic poverty, mediocre governance and restricted free speech are among the main grievances from Nigerien civil society. These protests come on the hill of similar uprisings in Burkina Faso, Burundi...
Ahead of Mexico's Vote, a Young Indigenous Woman Asks for an End to Silence Over Deaths and Disappearances
Her criticism of Nobel Peace Prize recipient Rigoberta Menchú's call to vote echoed through social media, adding weight to the argument to annul Mexico's June 7 elections.
Russian Activist Dons Stilettos and Dog Collar to Protest ‘Sadists’ Law’
Submitted to the Duma in late May, the legislation would expand the circumstances under which guards can use force when confronting anything from a prison break to a disobedient prisoner
Befeqadu Hailu: An Ethiopian Writer Who Refused to Remain Silent
In the words of Wole Soyinka, “books and all forms of writing are terror to those who wish to suppress the truth.” Befequadu is in jail because he writes.
The Singapore Government Pulled the Funding for This Comic Book, and Now Readers Only Want It More
"What is the criteria for deciding if a work crosses unacceptable boundaries? Why shouldn't good art be commercially self-sustainable anyway?"
How Ukrainian Activists Are Fighting Corruption in Courts Using YouTube
"Open Court," a group of lawyers and human rights activists, are taking it upon themselves to fight pervasive corruption in the judiciary with online videos, live streams, and legal expertise.
China's Internet Police Launch ‘Speech Inspections’, Chill Critical Voices
The launch of the "Internet Police Inspection and Law Enforcement" program implies a more coordinated effort in the incrimination of online speech.
Iran Sentences Atena Faraghdani to 12.5 Years for Cartoons
A Revolutionary Court in Tehran has sentenced artist and civil rights activist Atena Faraghdani to 12.5 years in prison for publishing on Facebook cartoons and criticisms of the government.
Tor Use in Russia Spiking in Response to Kremlin's Censorship Efforts
As the Kremlin steps up its efforts to enforce Internet censorship, search engine data shows a growing number of Russians use Tor to circumvent content blocking.
Taking Russia’s Troll Factories to Court
Last week, a woman named Lyudmila Savchuk announced that she is suing Russia’s most famous “troll factory." Savchuk says she worked for this office until March as an undercover reporter.
