Stories about Freedom of Speech from July, 2021
Social media became a life-saving tool for Nigerians. Now, they have to fight for it
The #EndSARS protest, the Twitter ban and the #June12 protests point to the power of social media in Nigeria. But a rattled government is bent on extinguishing that power.
EU flag torn down from Georgian Parliament in second day of far-right street violence
Several thousand people including queer rights activists and supporters as well as opposition leaders gathered outside the parliament building in Tbilisi to protest violence against LGBTQI+ Pride organizers.
Malaysian artists and activists face probe over a short film depicting police brutality
"These ongoing harassments against activists, journalists, and artists attempt to silence our voice and deflect the public pressure on the prevalent cases of custodial death in the past few months."
By gathering knowledge, volunteers step in to save and revive the Macedonian music industry
Vasil Buraliev, the founder of the biggest publicly available nonprofit database about music from North Macedonia, talks about challenges of digital activism to promote cultural values.
Nizar Banat: the voice of truth assassinated by the Palestinian Authority
Nizar posted a video criticizing the expired vaccine deal that was near finalizing between the Palestinian Authority and Israel. Days later, he was beaten to death by Palestinian security forces.
Tbilisi Pride march canceled amid violent attacks
March for Dignity, a Pride March organized in Tbilisi was cancelled by the organizers amid violence and attacks against the organizers of the event and journalists.
Groups call for the release of Mother Nature environmental activists in Cambodia
"The work that activists undertake should be praised rather than hampered, and their voices should be listened to rather than silenced."
Social media companies could be liable for user-generated content in India
Twitter in India has found itself outside the “safe harbour” that otherwise would have protected itself legally from being implicated for the content generated by its users.
Hong Kong Government defines assault on police as “lone wolf terrorism”
Hong Kong authorities define an assault on a police officer as a “lone-wolf style act of domestic terrorism” and claimed that the man had been radicalized by hate speech.
What has Hong Kong lost one year after the National Security Law was enacted?
Hongkongers have lost the right to attend public protests and assemblies; Apple Daily, Hong Kong's largest pro-democracy publication has been shut down; and numerous civic groups have been dissolved.
Second Skopje Pride Parade celebrates diversity in North Macedonia
Attended by President Stevo Pendarovski, the thousand-strong parade showcased support for a community traditionally discriminated against, while celebrating the hope for a society with greater solidarity and justice.
Access denied: the social and economic costs of Nigeria’s Twitter blackout
President Buhari of Nigeria has perceived Twitter’s support for the 2020 youth-led #EndSARS protests, together with the deletion of his tweet, as an act of hostility.