Stories about Freedom of Speech from October, 2015
At Least 86 Killed in Explosions at Ankara Peace Rally
The October 10 attack was the biggest in Turkey's history, carried out as the country prepares for a November 1 election that appears increasingly unfeasible.
Political Cartoons Defy Censorship to Expose Thai-Style ‘Democracy’
A political cartoonist who criticized Thailand's military-backed government has become the latest journalist to be summoned by the army for "attitude-adjustment."
Belarus Catches Up to Russia With Its Own Pro-government ‘Troll Factory’
Leaked emails published on ElectBy suggest pro-government Belarusian Republican Youth Union directs its local chapters to leave negative comments on articles about recent opposition rallies.
Angolan Activist's Health in Danger After Nearly Three Weeks of Hunger Strike in Prison
Luaty Beirao, reportedly in critical condition, was arrested in June with 14 others on accusations of plotting a coup. He and the others maintain they were merely discussing peaceful protest.
Stopped and Frisked by Facebook: ‘Real Name’ Policy Puts Speech Before Privacy
Facebook has a long way to go before they can fully appreciate the responsibility they carry when they decide to dictate what and who is "real" in the world.
Netizen Report: Is Egypt Blocking Voice Calls on WhatsApp and Skype?
Lebanon arrests two over Facebook posts, Venezuela blocks Bitcoin sites in crusade against foreign currency, and the EU takes 'Safe Harbor' away from US tech companies.
Arrest and Prison Time for Journalists and Bloggers over Facebook Posts in Lebanon
Two Lebanese Facebook users found themselves sentenced to prison for posts they wrote on the social networking site.
Belarusian Author and Journalist Svetlana Alexievich Wins 2015 Nobel Prize in Literature
Alexievich is the 14th woman to win a Nobel Prize in Literature, and the first Russian-language author to be granted the honor since 1987, when Joseph Brodsky received the prize.
Turkey Puts a Gun to the Media's Head in Lead-Up to Elections
Information campaigns and physical intimidation that once targeted Kurdish and leftist media are now being aimed at major media outlets of all kinds.
Murder and Abortion Cases Highlight Continuing Injustices Against Women in Colombia
A female journalist's brazen murder and the news of an actress facing criminal charges for an abortion reminds Colombians that justice is not carried out equally when it involves women.
Fears for Imprisoned Syrian Bassel Khartabil, Transferred to an Unknown Location
Activists are calling upon the Syrian government to immediately release imprisoned Syrian-Palestinian blogger Bassel Khartabil (Safadi) after he was moved from his prison to an unknown location earlier today.
Kidnapped, But Sameera Is Ever-Present in the Memories of Syrians
Yasin Al Hajj Saleh is a teacher of hope. If he was able to smile in the face of hope, what is your excuse?
Thai Netizens Stage ‘Virtual Sit-in’ Against Single Internet Gateway Plan
"The single benefit is to the government and security agencies. They will be able to secretly wiretap, filter, and censor everything that is sent and received by every Internet user."
Meet ‘Droncita,’ Mexico's First Graffiti-Artist Drone
On the first anniversary of the Iguala mass kidnapping, Droncita's first act was to graffiti a portrait of Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, demanding his resignation.
New Leak Details Kremlin’s Plans For a Russian ‘National Internet’
The leak by Anonymous International reveals plans for the concept of a “national information platform” in Russia, which effectively describes the creation of an alternative Russian Internet.