Stories about Freedom of Speech from December, 2016
After a Wild Campaign, Macedonia Holds Important Elections This Sunday
Very often, upcoming elections in polarized societies are said to be “historic” events. Hugely important to the future of the country's political system, Macedonia's elections this Sunday certainly feel historic.
Two Young Activists Get 10 Years in Jail Each After Graffiti on Azerbaijan Patriarch's Statue
"I don’t want to be remembered by apologising in my final statement. I refuse to see myself as a prisoner. I am a lover of freedom."
Activist Arrested on Royal Insult Charges for Sharing BBC Article About Thailand's New King
Almost 2,500 Facebook users shared the post, but the police singled out an activist calling for the restoration of democracy in Thailand.
The Bengali New Year’s Celebration of Democracy and Diversity Is Declared Intangible Cultural Heritage
"As long as Bangladesh lives, there will be this type of New Year's celebration...This is the image of a secular Bangladesh.
Sudanese Government Targets Activists, Stifles Media Coverage of Civil Disobedience
The civil disobedience action began on 27 November after the government removed subsidies on electricity, fuel and medicine.
Russian Blogger Launches Campaign to Annul Anti-Extremism Law He Was Convicted of Violating
Blogger Anton Nossik wants to annul Article 282 of the Russian Criminal Code, a catch-all statute that prohibits "ctions aimed at the incitement of hatred or enmity."
Sleeping or Dead – Part 5: This Farce Called a Homeland
"You’re lucky, as some were transferred out today, before we had shifts for standing and sitting....we are managing by squatting and sleeping on each others’ shoulders.”
Filipino Activists Hold Solidarity Fast in Support of Political Prisoners
"They are persons caring for the marginalized sectors of the society but they were jailed for trumped up charges."
Russian Media Regulator Backpedals on Google Pressure
Hours after Russian news outlets began reporting that state media regulatory agency Roskomnadzor had issued instructions forcing Google to re-register in Russia or face sanctions, an agency representative backpedaled, telling roem.ru that Izvestiya, the newspaper that broke the news, had misreported the story. Izvestiya quoted Vadim Ampelonsky in their initial report as saying that...
Russia Ratchets Up Pressure on Google
Roskomnadzor, the agency that regulates Russian media, has issued instructions that will force Google to change its registration by the end of March.
Attack on NGO Fighting for Rights of Textile Workers in Macedonia Highlights Dangers to Civil Society
An attack on the premises of an NGO that champions textile workers' rights, has undermined attempts to improve the terrible working conditions in Macedonia's garment industry .
Russia, China, and the Push for ‘Digital Sovereignty’
Russia and China's cyber cooperation is a marriage of convenience that reflects a shared priority: regime stability.