Stories about Freedom of Speech from August, 2015
Maldivians March to Mark Anniversary of Local Journalist's Disappearance
"To demand action and accountability from the state, Rilwan’s well-wishers started the #FindMoyameehaa campaign – the first of its kind in the Maldives."
“No Country For Secular Bloggers”: Niloy Neel is the Fourth Bangladeshi Blogger To Be Killed in 2015
"How many more bloggers must be murdered before the government acts decisively to stem the violence and impunity?"
China Steps Up Internet Surveillance With “Cybersecurity Police Stations” at Major Websites
Until now, managing online discourse has been delegated to Internet content providers on a largely ad hoc basis.
“We Will Choke You”: How Indian Women Face Fatal Threats on Facebook While Trolls Roam Free
One Facebook user threatened to choke her. Two days later, on August 4, Inji Pennu's Facebook account was suspended.
Disappeared Gambian Journalist Slammed With Sedition Charge
"It seems the whole nation is behind bars," wrote one Facebook user on the disappearances of multiple journalists in The Gambia. Although facing charges, Abdoulie Ceesay's whereabouts remain unknown.
Russia's ‘Draconian’ Internet Laws Mostly Ignored By Industry Experts
Russian Internet laws have been called "draconian" and accused of limiting free speech. But a recent study found that Russian online industry and experts actually know little about these regulations.
Mexico: “We Are the Problem Because We Disturb the Government and the Narcos”
“How many journalists have been murdered, and what has come of it? How many students, activists, and human rights defenders have been killed, picked up, or disappeared?"
Despite Millions of Recruits, Criticism of China's Online Civilization Army Mounts
China Communist Youth League has recruited approximately 18 million "civilization volunteers" to “spread positive energy” online.
14 Journalists From Veracruz, Mexico Have Been Murdered During Governor Duarte's Rule
Most of them were critical of Durante, who took office in December 2010.
#HackingTeam Leaks: Ecuador is Spending Millions on Malware, Pro-Government Trolls
Pro-government propaganda, anti-opposition trolls, hashtag spamming, and widespread malware are all part of a politically-motivated social media spin campaign dating back to 2012.
The Biggest Threat to Mexican Journalists Aren't Drug Cartels Anymore
Public officials and police officers are now suspected of most attacks against journalists.
Exiled Journalist Speaks on Human Trafficking and The Gambia's Assault on Media Freedom
Sanna Camara fled his home country in the face of legal challenges and death threats after he published a series of stories on human trafficking in The Gambia.
Iran Closes Down Hardline Newspaper After Anti Nuclear Deal Coverage
Iran's Press Supervisory have closed down 9 Dey, a hardline newspaper that has published dissenting views to the nuclear deal signed between Iran and the P5+1 countries, signed in Vienna on July 13. Iran shuts down hardline conservative weekly for criticising the nuclear deal pic.twitter.com/dMKJKKAcuK — Mehrzad Kohanrouz (@MehrzadBBC) August 3,...
Public Prosecutor's Office in Colombia to Monitor Twitter Accounts of Public Servants During Elections
¿Conoce irregularidades que atenten contra la transparencia o la seguridad de las #Elecciones2015? Denuncie en: http://t.co/fiNivGSeDQ — Procuraduría General (@PGN_COL) July 25, 2015 Are you aware of any irregularities which might jeopardize the transparency or security of Elections 2015? Tell us here: On October 25, Colombians head to the polls...
Selfie Empowerment: Russian Communists Want Your Lenin Selfies
Young Russian Communists want to make Lenin hip again—so they're proposing a flashmob campaign that involves taking selfies with Lenin statues.
Indians Blast Facebook Over Broken Community Standards
"What the **** are community standards if they cannot take down a page purely abusive in nature, harassing a woman using her photos and other personal details?"
Malaysia’s #AtTheEdge Campaign Challenges Media Censorship
"At a time when there are more questions than answers available regarding the financial scandal, the Ministry’s action appears to be a self-serving draconian attempt at shutting up inquisitive Malaysians."
Will the Victims of Pinochet's Tyranny Finally Get Justice?
"I think this pact of silence breaking apart after so many years is a milestone for our country. It's a before and after in the struggle for human rights."
