Stories about Freedom of Speech from May, 2017
Bangladesh: Where Heavy Metal Dies at the Doorstep
Heavy metal fans in Bangladesh were heartbroken after Brazilian death metal bands Krisiun and NervoChaos were forbidden from performing at their sold-out concert in the capital Dhaka.
New Documentary Throws Shade on Police Investigation Into Dissident Journalist's Murder in Kyiv
A new investigative report challenges the role of Ukraine's authorities in a stalled murder case surrounding a dissident journalist assassinated in Kyiv last summer.
Bangladesh's LGBT Community Launches a Blog Commemorating Slain Activists
"How can I live in this country, where if I were to be killed people would rejoice over a cup of tea that there is one less LGBT person?"
Thailand Threatens to Take Facebook to Court Over Anti-Monarchy Posts
Tha Thailand government has given Facebook until Tuesday, May 16, 2017, to remove the 131 remaining 'anti-monarchy' posts.
Netizen Report: Draft Laws in Egypt Could Lock Down Social Media
As Egypt's parliament pushes to further restrict expression, Turkey blocks Wikipedia, Russia blocks WeChat, and the UK can't seem to stop snooping.
Tunisian Media Activist Interrogated Over Sources of Leaked Documents
Sami Ben Gharbia is a significant figure in independent media and digital human rights activism in Tunisia and the Arab region.
Draft Law Would Require Egyptian Social Media Users to Register With Government
Users who do not register could face up to six months in jail and a fine.
Omani Authorities Block Access to Online Magazine Mowatin
The independent magazine was blocked by Oman authorities on World Press Freedom Day, hours after resuming publication.
Wanna Share News on Social Media? With China's New Rules, You'll Need a Permit For That.
"It is like asking us to uninstall all the communication tools or else whenever you speak, you could violate the law."
Netizen Report: Vietnam Says Facebook Will Cooperate With Censorship Requests on Offensive and ‘Fake’ Content
Vietnam makes a deal with Facebook, beef controversy leads to online harassment in India and French authorities push to globalize ‘right to be forgotten’.
Iranian News Agency Publishes ‘Fabricated’ Story Accusing UN Special Rapporteur of Misdeeds With Saudi Arabia
It's not the first time Iranian officials have tried to discredit the office of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights Situation in Iran.
Salt Water Challenge, Skipping Meals and #DignityStrike: Palestinians Show Solidarity With Prisoners’ Hunger Strike
Prisoners are demanding an end to solitary confinement, arrest and detention without trial known as administrative arrest, and medical negligence, as well as the improvement of conditions within the prison.
Brazilian Activist in Induced Coma After Police Beating at Nationwide Protests
A Brazilian student is hospitalized in intensive care, after a police officer clubbed him in the head at a demonstration last Friday, when millions joined nationwide strikes against austerity reforms.
Russian Psychological Center Insults and Then Outs Gay Man Who Called Its Support Line
Be careful when calling the hotline at “FROG,” a psychological help center; you might need more support after the call than you did before you picked up the phone.
Navalny's Army Unmasks the State-Supported Radicals Out to Get Him
Following last week's startling attack, opposition leader Alexey Navalny is proving how useful it is to have millions of supporters among Russia’s young, energetic Internet users.
Students and Staff Condemn Talk by Israel's UK Ambassador at SOAS, University of London
London's SOAS University saw hundreds protest Israeli ambassador's visit to campus, denouncing it as "an official exercise in state propaganda."
Life as a Vod, Russia’s Disappearing Ethnic Group
Made up of just a few dozen people, the world’s largest community of Vods lives outside St. Petersburg. Victoria Vziatysheva recently spoke to some of the Vods’ last living descendants.