Stories about Freedom of Speech from January, 2016
First Russian Pastafarian Gets Driver's License Photo Wearing A Colander
Russian Pastafarians are celebrating: for the first time, an adherent of the religion managed to get his driver's license photo taken wearing a pasta strainer—Pastafarians' obligatory headgear.
China Is Blocking Circumvention Tools With Help of Cloud Service Providers
Experts estimate that between 1% and 3% of China's internet users are using circumvention tool to visit overseas websites. But this could change with new restrictions.
A Venezuelan Digital Artist Defends LGBT Rights Despite Social and Political Censorship
Who's behind censorship and why? What happens when old social norms around gender are questioned? Danial Arzola, creator of the campaign 'I'm not a joke', answers these and other questions.
On Criticising Charlie Hebdo on Facebook, and the Perils of Selective Freedom of Speech
Did Facebook remove Efe Levent's post because he used the term "cracker"?
Russian Blogger Shipilov Granted Political Asylum in Ukraine
Dmitry Shipilov, a Russian journalist and blogger sentenced to community service for insulting the governor of Kemerovo region on his blog, has been granted political asylum in Ukraine.
Moroccans Protest Ban of VoIP Calls, Including Whatsapp, Viber, Facebook and Skype
Moroccans have decided to boycott telecom companies for blocking VoIP services to teach them a lesson. Do such boycotts work?
The Victims of Mexico's Drug War Deserve to Be in the Spotlight, Not El Chapo and Sean Penn
"Only when the names of those who were killed are known, when the stories of their suffering are heard...people everywhere will call out to end the war."
Ukrainian Separatists Block 100+ News Websites in ‘Lugansk People’s Republic’
News websites in the self-proclaimed "Lugansk People's Republic" are being censored as separatist authorities seek to minimize the "destabilizing" influence of the Ukrainian media.
Printers Censor Another New York Times Article, Shedding Light on Pakistan's Stifled Speech Environment
"...this blank space in the newspaper speaks volumes about the conditions under which we live and write in Pakistan today."
Two Arrested and then Released for Taking Selfies with Burning Dubai Hotel in the Background
Two men who posted their selfies on social media with Dubai's 63-storey The Address hotel on fire in the background were arrested -- and then released.
Saudi Arabia Arrests Samar Badawi for Tweeting on Behalf of Her Jailed Husband
Saudi Arabia arrested human rights activist Samar Badawi today allegedly for tweeting on behalf of her jailed husband, prominent human rights lawyer Waleed Abulkhair.
Macedonia's Highest Court Confirms Fine for Journalists Who Quoted Statements Alleging Corruption
Fokus magazine had quoted Macedonia's former ambassador to the Czech Republic, who accused ex-head of the secret service Sasho Mijalkov of corruption. Mijalkov sued for defamation and won.
Who Protects the Rights of Russian Internet Users? Not These Guys.
Russia's Internet ombudsman and Putin's new Internet advisor believe they have no business defending the rights of Internet users in Russia.
Netizen Report: Facebook’s ‘Free Basics’ App is Under Fire in India, Offline in Egypt
Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
‘Orwellian Dystopia’ or Trustworthy Nation? Get the Facts on China's Social Credit System
Combining individuals' financial records, online shopping data, social media behaviors and employment history, China will now produce a combined "social credit" score for each citizen.
Ethiopia Protest Videos Show State Brutality, Despite Tech Barriers
Since student protests erupted in Ethiopia last November, mobile phone videos have offered a glimpse of the government's deadly crackdown on demonstrators.
The Finer Details of Trinidad & Tobago’s Whistleblower Bill Could Use Some Work
Trinidad and Tobago's Whistleblower Protection Bill was submitted to Parliament in November 2015. One anti-corruption blogger discusses the proposed legislation and urges netizens to get involved.
What Are the Challenges Facing Latin America in 2016?
Global Voices is asking its readers what they think the biggest stories in Latin America that we should be covering are. Write to us! Or even better, write for us!
Inside Ethiopia's Self-Defeating Crackdown on Oromo Musicians
As government threatens and arrests Oromo artists while booting them off the airwaves, growing numbers are turning to the internet as their only avenue for self-expression.
Hong Kong Bookseller's Disappearance Stokes Fears of Cross-Border Kidnaps by Mainland Chinese Police
"Hong Kong residents can be taken away by non-local law enforcers and the government will not protect you."
Saudi Arabia Executes Top Shia Cleric Nimr Al Nimr Under “Terrorism” Charges
Saudi Arabia today announced it had executed 47 people on "terrorism" charges, among them top Shia cleric Nimr Al Nimr.