Stories about Eastern & Central Europe from April, 2014
Will Russia Regulate Blogs Like Mass Media?
The regulations would require fact-checking, age restriction warnings, and obeying election laws, among other responsibilities.
Macedonians Promote Donations for Less Fortunate on Social Media
Local humanitarian initiatives from Macedonia are successfully using social media to solicit donations for the country's most vulnerable.
Censorship Forces Navalny to Abandon LiveJournal
Russia's most famous blogger (or as he describes himself: "corruption fighter, son, husband, father") has been forced to move away from the blogging platform that launched him to fame.
Russia Intends to Clean Up “Internet Pollution”
The Russian government is drafting a new project that would redefine the “principles of state cultural policy.” In a concept paper shared with the press this week, a working group led by Sergei Ivanov, Putin's chief of staff, declared Russia's need to preserve its unique “state-civilization” and moral foundation in...
Macedonian President's Interview Blunders Leave Macedonians Laughing
A series of gaffes in a televised interview by Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov have provoked widespread discussion among Macedonian social media users as presidential elections approach.
France, the Czech Republic and Greece Under Scrutiny for Their Treatment of Roma Community
On International Romani Day (April 8) the French branch of Amnesty International wrote a statement entitled “Facing a spiral of violence, the Roma of Europe are demanding justice and protection”. The statement is especially critical of the treatment of the Roma community in France, the Czech Republic and Greece [fr]:...
Russian Internet Hipsters Are Out For Blood
A cautionary tale about the dangers of ill-conceived Facebook status updates, or perhaps about the growing threat of RuNet's epistemic closure.
Top 10 Russian-Language Tweets, Week 14 of 2014
At the end of each week, RuNet Echo collects the top ten Russian-language tweets and curates them for Global Voices readers.
A Russian Gulag for American Social Networks’ Data?
A Moscow city councilman is promoting legislation that would require all online social networks to house users’ personal data on servers located on Russian soil.
Donations Prolong Life of Opposition TV Station
The week-long telethon that started at the end of March has collected enough funds to maintain broadcasting for just over 53 days.
Campaign to Unfollow “Occupied” Opposition Twitter
Many @lentaruofficial fans were incensed at the perceived usurpation, and started a mini-campaign to get people to unfollow the "zombie" impostor.
Quantifying Russia's Traitorous Media
A pro-Kremlin website says it has conducted a quantitative study that ranks Russian media outlets according to disloyalty.
RuNet April Fools’ Roundup
RuNet Echo has collected the best gags for your amusement.
Vkontakte's Pavel Durov Departs: Genuine or Joke?
In what is either a bombshell for Russian social media or a daring April Fools' Day joke, Vkontakte general director Pavel Durov has announced his resignation.
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