Stories about Freedom of Speech from December, 2015
Is the World Forum for Democracy a Space of Genuine Dialogue?
At this year's World Forum for Democracy in Strasbourg, tolerance for debate and differences of opinion left something to be desired.
China's 2nd World Internet Conference Will Focus on ‘Rule of Law’, But Not Free Expression
"These conferences have had no credibility ever since the first one, whose real aim was to ensure that Internet companies wanting to operate in China fall into line."
Ethiopian Netizens Defend Themselves in Court After 525 Days of Detention
Left to defend themselves in court, Ethiopian netizens reject charges of anti-government activity and describe torture and ethnic discrimination in prison.
Bangladesh Unblocks All Social Media Services (For Now)
Contradictory statements from authorities have left many Bangladeshis wondering what was behind the ban on Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter and other major communications platforms.
Activists Take to the Top of Lviv City Hall to Highlight Human Rights in Ukraine
Ukrainian civic activists climbed to the very top of Lviv City Hall to read aloud the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and raise awareness of International Human Rights Day.
Thai Worker Arrested for Mocking the King’s Dog on Facebook
Authorities will also file sedition charges against the Facebook user for 'liking' and 'sharing' an infographic which explains a corruption scandal involving the military.
Nigerian Lawmakers May Criminalize ‘Abusive’ and Anti-Government Messages Online
Nigeria's social media landscape is poised for dramatic changes, if lawmakers get their way with a new bill that would make it possible to sentence Internet bullies to prison time.
Meet the Man Chronicling Macedonia's Twitter Community
He has interviewed about two-hundred and fifty Macedonian Twitter users.
Netizen Report: Pro-Government Hackers and Constitutional Amendment Put Free Speech Under Fire in Ecuador
Facebook is back on in Bangladesh, Venezuela sees big changes (and Internet outages) on Election Day and Kazakhstan plans to spy on everyone.
Russia Sentences First Activist to Three Years in Jail for Peaceful Protest
Ildar Dadin, jailed for three years for single-person pickets, pleaded not guilty and called the case against him a "shameful persecution based on an unconstitutional law."
Ecuadorean Political Leader Who Criticized Government Nepotism on Twitter Gets 15 Days in Prison
A few tweets about an alleged case of nepotism in Ecuador's Government earned Sebastian Cevallos a sentence of 15 days in jail.
New Draft Law Enables Russia to Ignore International Human Rights Decisions
A recently passed draft law could allow the Russian Constitutional Court to review any international human rights decision against Russia, allowing the Kremlin to shirk international human rights obligations.
After a Year Behind Bars, Journalist Khadija Ismayilova of Azerbaijan is Fearless
"I am so much wealthier than all the corrupt men and women I have written about. Because I have values for which I am ready to even sacrifice my life."
New Appointments to the Polish Constitutional Tribunal May Be Unconstitutional
People have been protesting and discussing a recent set of acts passed by Polish parliament, some claiming it is a true threat to democracy in the country.
Nine Consecutive Years of Protests Against Police Repression in Argentina
For nine years, hundreds of Argentinians from the Cordoba province have joined the "Cap March" -- an annual demonstration against police abuses that take refuge under a controversial law.
Transgender Woman Elected to Venezuelan National Assembly
The first transgender candidate in Venezuelan history hopes to reach the National Assembly and bring up issues like marriage equality and name and gender changes on identity documents.
Saudi Arabia Sentences Poet to Death and Threatens to Sue Critics of Penal System
The sentence was criticised far and wide with many taking to social media, comparing Saudi Arabia's penal code and punishments to that executed by ISIS.
Thai Printers Scrub Front-Page Article From The International New York Times
"The article in this space was removed by our printer in Thailand. The International New York Times and its editorial staff had no role in its removal."
Russia Sees Its First Real Prison Sentence for ‘Promoting Extremism’ on Social Media
A Russian court has handed out a real prison term to a user charged with "propaganda of extremism on social media," sentencing him to one year in a penal colony.