Stories about Eastern & Central Europe from February, 2015
A Tennis Star’s Twitter Conversation with an Argentinian President Parody Account
A famous tennis player thought she was talking to Argentina's president on Twitter last week, but she actually engaged a popular parody account.
In Putin's Russia, a Retweet Can Lead to a Jail Term
Even a retweet of an image or a republished post may cost Russian citizens unfettered access to the Internet—and often, their freedom.
How the War in Ukraine Tears Apart Families and Friends Online
Bitterness is in the air, and bitterness affects personal relationships—so I wasn’t surprised when Eleonora told me how a formerly friendly Kiev colleague wished death upon her on Facebook.
RuNet Watchdog ‘Baffled’ by Twitter's Refusal to Block Kremlin's Opponents
Alexandr Zharov, head of Roscomnadzor, told journalists that Twitter "has consistently refused to adhere to the demands of Russian legislation, including those aimed at combatting extremism."
Ukraine Arrests Journalist on Treason Charges for Calls to Boycott Mobilization
Ukrainian journalist Ruslan Kotsaba called for boycotting the latest wave of military mobilization in Ukraine—and now faces treason charges. Is he really a traitor? Internet opinion is divided.
Twitter's New Transparency Report Shows Massive Spike in Demands from Russia
"We went from having never received a request to receiving more than 100 requests for account information. We did not provide information in response to any," Twitter's report says.
#FreeSavchenko: Ukranian Pilot's Hunger Strike in Russian Prison Hits Ninth Week
International campaigns for the release of Nadiya Savchenko continue. Russian authorities don't seem to have plans to release her. Neither does Savchenko have plans to end her hunger strike.
Bot Wave Tries to Remind Russians of Rosier Olympic Times
Facing economic crisis at home and armed conflict in Ukraine, there has been a concerted effort across the airwaves to remind Russians about the anniversary the country’s 2014 Olympic triumph.
Putin's Daughter Can No Longer Hide from the Internet
The combination of a newspaper's investigation, a journalist's sharp eye, and an anonymous source have the dance moves of Putin's younger daughter making international news.
Crimean IT Industry Wilts Under Western Sanctions
Western sanctions come at a high cost to IT-professionals and citizens in disputed Crimea, as companies like Apple and Google are blocking access to their services.
Macedonians Plan to Use Freedom of Information Act to Fight New Freelance Law
Some part-time and freelance workers were blocked from getting paid in January under the new tax and fee regulations. Protesters want to expose the government's bureaucratic inefficiency.
The Ustashi Legacy: Remembering the Children's Concentration Camp in Sisak
The Croatian town of Sisak hasn't forgotten the horrors of a children's concentration camp established by German Nazis and the radical right Croatian Ustashi movement during WWII.
Serbia's Prime Minister Drags Investigative Journalists Through the Mud Over Corruption Article
After an in-depth investigative piece about a murky public procurement was published, Serbian PM Vučić and pro-government media have launched a negative campaign against an investigative journalist network in Serbia.
Barack Obama and Russia's Puppet Assassin
The children in Altai are in for some curious February entertainment, as a the organizers of a local festival ponder executing or burning in effigy a Barack Obama doll.
Stop the Music: Spotify Cancels Launch in Russia
Spotify is leaving Russia in response to the economic crisis, the political situation, and the draconian Internet laws.
Massive Fire Hits Treasured Moscow Library
According to radio station Echo of Moscow, roughly 15 percent of the library's total collection, including rare Slavic texts dating back to the 16th century, is no more.
The Collapse of Media Freedom in Bulgaria
Bulgaria has slid in international press freedom rankings, and corruption and lack of transparency plague the country's media sector.
The Macedonian Government Clamps Down on Filming Protests With Drones
Drone-made videos and photos were instrumental in demonstrating the size of a recent massive student protest, which has been called the largest student protest in Macedonia since independence.
Russian Opposition to Test Putin's Popularity Amid Financial Crisis
The Russian opposition has announced plans for a march that may gauge public support for an associated list of "anti-crisis" measures in light of recent economic and foreign policy developments.
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