Stories about Weblog from April, 2018
Media censorship surrounds the Pashtun rights movement in Pakistan

"There was complete media blackout. But journalists were there [to] tell the story [through] social media. Self censorship sign of oppression"
Brutal murder of three film students in Mexico sparks outrage
"The confirmation of the students murdered in Jalisco is a shame. As a country, we must demand justice. There is no justification for these crimes... Never impunity, never amnesty..."
Springtime in Japan means the return of the country's beloved swallows
For many Japanese people, the return of the swallows is something to look forward to, and an experience to treasure.
Women's Voices in Mexico: “Having your voice heard is a revolutionary act”

"We are looking at how gender affects the way that our stories are told, constructing narratives and using technology to make the transformative role we play more visible."
Why pilgrims from India and Nepal throng to see an orchid that blooms in April
According to local legend and tradition, the Salahesh Fulbari garden in eastern Nepal is the place to be on the Nepali New Year's Day.
Telcos must disclose more data about internet shutdowns, say civil society groups

New research shows that the world's largest telecommunications companies disclose little to no information about their network shutdown policies and practices.
Netizen Report: Protests in Nicaragua trigger media bans, DDoS attacks and the killing of journalist Angel Gahona

The Advox Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
The chilling effect of officials discussing Telegram's imminent ban in Iran

Some officials say Telegram is set to be blocked at the end of April. Although the app remains technically unfiltered at the moment, usage among Iranians is down.
Why did China take its own propaganda film offline? Netizens point to US tech sanctions

Netizens suspect that the film is being restricted due to new US sanctions against ZTE, a Chinese telecommunications hardware company.
Skopje's pedestrians call out cars and cafes for dangerously invading their #PublicSpace
"No problem, pal, the patients will find a way [around your car parked on the sidewalk]. #PublicSpace"
#SOSNicaragua: At least 25 killed in Nicaragua protests, including one journalist, say human rights groups

Nicaraguans are live broadcasting, tweeting and video blogging about the crisis on the ground.
Angolan authorities bring journalist Rafael Marques back to court, for investigating corruption

A journalist best known for exposing human rights violations in the diamond trade, Marques is not the only target of the Angolan regime.
What were Global Voices’ readers up to last week?
During the week of April 16-22, 2018, the most popular story on our Indonesian language site was about Taiwan. And on our Polish language site? A story about Mexico.
China Central Television backs Russian version of the Syrian crisis, saying chemical attacks were staged
Russia claims the Syrian chemical attacks were staged; China's state media echoes that narrative, but not everyone is buying into it.
Troll farm takes aim at American audiences in new web campaign

RIA FAN, a Russian news outlet with known connections to the Saint Petersburg "troll factory", announced its latest project: a website called USA Really, aimed at a U.S.-based audience.
Jordan's poorer areas can go weeks without water, while the wealthier have a 24/7 supply
"We would get water two times a week, sometimes in the summer that is barely enough to get us through the week..."
8-year-old Asifa's heinous rape and murder in India fans the flames of nationalism
"Asifa is not 'just the face of a child'; she symbolizes the violence her community faces."
Will Singapore's plan to combat ‘deliberate online falsehoods’ stifle free speech?

"…the biggest threat to the stability and growth of the democratic process in Singapore is the government’s control of the media and information."