Stories about Media & Journalism from January, 2018
‘Buy a New SIM Card’ and Await Further Interrogation: Russia's Security Services Detain and Question a Reporter
Russia's FSB security services searched journalist Pavel Nikulin's apartment and seized laptops, documents and copies of his independent magazine.
Myanmar Digital Activists Come Together to Protect People's Rights Online at #DigitalRightsMM
Myanmar's mobile penetration rate has soared from 2.5 percent to more than 90 percent, bringing a wave of developments and difficulties in the digital rights realm.
The ‘Girls of Revolution Street’ Protest Iran's Compulsory Hijab Laws
"With religion and hijab there should be no force."
Since 2016, Myanmar Courts Have Convicted 100% of People Charged Under Telecom Law 66 (d)
"Every court has given a prison sentence and none has given a fine."
Changing Trinidad & Tobago Carnival's Culture Starts With Consent
"Flirting is not a crime. Forcing your attention on someone is." Trinidad and Tobago Carnival may be experiencing "a progressive cultural shift”.
Filipino Bloggers Rally to Defend Rappler News Site
"We stand against moves to silence and scare journalists, bloggers and media practitioners just because the President and his ardent supporters dislike their news and views."
State of Emergency Over Worsening Crime Has Some Jamaicans Relieved — But Is It an Effective Approach?
Is a state of emergency "making progress", or is it a shot in the dark as Jamaica grapples with addressing the social and economic inequity that fuels violent crime?
Leaked Documents Show That Ethiopia’s Ruling Elites Are Hiring Social Media Trolls (And Watching Porn)
The leaks include a list of individuals who appear to have been paid to promote the ruling coalition on social media.
Reuters Journalists Covering Rohingya Conflict in Myanmar Detained for ‘Illegally Acquiring Information’
"If Myanmar is serious about democratic reforms, it must accept the right of journalists to work freely and report on topics that make those in power uncomfortable."
Netizen Report: Five Months After Houthis Arrested Him, Human Rights Blogger Hisham Al-Omeisy Walks Free
The Advox Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
Philippine Authorities Order Shutdown of Rappler News Site, Bringing a Blow to Press Freedom
"If this revocation stands, Rappler will effectively be shut down —the first time a news organization will be closed by government since the dictator Marcos declared martial law in 1972."
Why Wait? Wikipedia and Google Accidentally Declare Putin the Winner of March 2018 Presidential Elections
Whether the error was intended as a joke, or as a political move, is unknown.
Nigerian Police Arrest a Journalist and His Brother Over a News Article They Didn't Write
"Police have no business raiding a journalist's home and locking him up just because an officer does not like something written in the press."
Instagram in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan: A Path to Celebrity and Scandal
"Do not make yourself out to be married and decent! You've made a porridge that is not tasty and full of lumps!"
Japanese Media Struggles to Translate Trump's “Shithole”
"Fascinating that media outlets find it easier to print "shithole" than 'racist' or 'racism'."
In 2017, Samoa's Parliament Made Libel a Crime. How Will This Affect Bloggers and Social Media?
"Concerns about anonymous bloggers should not override the right of citizens to speak freely, without fear of being jailed."
Pakistanis Demand #JusticeForZainab, 7-Year-Old Raped and Murdered in Kasur
"12 young girls, have been raped and murdered in the last one year...Failure of Pakistan’s 'Criminal Justice System' lies at the root of this public anger."
Netizen Report: Fearful of ‘Fake News’, Lawmakers in France and Brazil Want to Limit Free Speech Before Elections
The Advox Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
Despite Threats of Censorship, Documentary Filmmakers Show Human Rights Violations in Western Sahara
The film gives audiences a close look at Western Sahara under Moroccan occupation.
Australian Prime Minister Accused of Political Fear-Mongering After Warning of ‘African Gangs’
"The insidious thing about this kind of craven political campaigning is that the details and facts don’t matter."
The Untimely Death of an Exiled Ethiopian Journalist
"His reward for having conscience in a country that criminalises it was torture & death in exile."