Stories about Freedom of Speech from February, 2016
In Bahrain, Journalism Is a Crime
American journalist Anna Therese Day was arrested, along with her crew, and deported from the restive country as it marked its fifth anniversary of anti-government protests.
Burundi's Independent Media Aren't Going Down Without a Fight
"Why do you harass the only independent media left to us?"
Bangladeshi Authorities Arrest Publisher and Shut Down Book Fair Booth for ‘Hurting Religious Sentiments’
Bangladesh’s constitution enshrines the right to free expression, and atheists have the same rights as other citizens. But authorities have done little to stop attacks against those critical of religion.
Kyrgyz Journalist Loses ‘One Som’ Court Case Against His Country's President
When it comes to conflicts between the state and journalists, Kyrgyz defamation suits are not a two way street.
A Pakistani Artist Remembers Sabeen Mahmud and her Valentine's Day Campaign
According to one of activist Sabeen Mahmud's killers, her '"un-Islamic" Valentine's Day rally was "the sin she eventually paid for."
Burundi's Independent Media Finds Itself in the Crossfire of a Deadly Crisis
"...we could never have imagined that the government had developed a plan for the total destruction of the media..."
Serbia's Ombudsman Wants a Belgrade Police Chief Fired for Obstructing Journalists
“There was an unlawful use of force, there were threats...Many bad things were done,”
When They Lock Up the Truth: Khadija Ismayilova and the Latin America Connection
Journalist Khadija Ismayilova's sentencing to seven-and-a-half years in prison in Azerbaijan has enraged rights activists all over the world, including in Latin America.
A Colombian Official Takes Short-Lived Legal Action Against a Journalist Over His Tweets
"...limitation of freedom of expression must be necessary and proportionate, that is, it must be the only and most effective means, something which is not true in this case."
Malaysian Police Threaten Internet Users for Sharing Clown Memes of Prime Minister
"Public scrutiny is part of the democratic process that serves as the foundation of Malaysia. Satirical images and comments made against government official[s] should not be considered as a crime."
Satirists React to Arrest of Prominent Egyptian Cartoonist Islam Gawish
Egyptian cartoonist Islam Gawish was detained briefly for running a website without a license and drawing cartoons with "political connotations." He was released after a backlash on social media.
The Troubling Rise of Internet-Related Arrests in Cambodia
"They do plainly illustrate a deeply troubling trend, whereby those who criticize the political elite are routinely being arrested for expressing their views on social media."
An LGBT Blog Is Suspended Over Mention of Cuba’s 1960s-Era Labor Camps
"I honestly hoped it was a technical glitch...I don't know how this 'defames the Revolution,' as the judgment issued to us says."
Kremlin Censor Finally Brings Down the Hammer on the RuNet’s Pluckiest Freedom Advocates
Government censors have blocked the website of Russian digital rights organization RosKomSvoboda for a page with instructions on how to circumvent online censorship and access blocked websites.
Netizen Report: The EU Wrestles With Facebook Over Privacy
Global Voices Advocacy's Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
Chinese Authorities Pressured a Bangladesh Art Summit Into Censoring a Tibet Exhibit
"The underlying threat to this message is: If you do not comply, we will cut economic ties or otherwise make it difficult for you."
Ukrainian Censor's ‘Explicit Content’ Database Is Up for Grabs
Ukraine's now extinct National Expert Commission for Protection of Public Morality accumulated a database of "explicit" content during its tenure—and no one knows what to do with it.
Did Argentina’s New President Just Arrest His First Political Prisoner?
Officially, Sala was arrested on two charges: “inciting criminal behavior” and spreading “disorder” by lobbying cooperatives to oppose the governor's reforms by resisting the state's new requirements.
Netizen Report: From Egypt to Kenya to Venezuela, Online Political Speech Feels Riskier Than Ever
Social media activists face legal threats in Africa and Latin America, Malaysia blocks Medium over corruption coverage, and Saudi pulls back death sentence for Palestinian artist Ashraf Fayadh.
ISPs Take Kremlin to Court Over Online Surveillance
“We’ve found a couple of brave providers that are ready to come with us on a crusade against SORM,” announced Leonid Volkov, co-founder of the Society for Defending the Internet.
Saudi Arabia Reduces Ashraf Fayadh's Death Sentence to Eight Years in Prison and 800 Lashes
Saudi Arabia overturned the death sentence of Palestinian poet Ashraf Fayadh, accused of apostasy and other blasphemy-related offenses which he denies, to eight years imprisonment and 800 lashes.
