Stories from December, 2015
Russian Censors Launch Automatic Online Media Monitoring System to Spot ‘Extremist’ Content
Roscomnadzor initially had ambitious plans to monitor all of the Russian Internet for extremist materials, but didn't have enough funding, so decided to focus on online media outlets.
Christmas in Japan? Get Ready for Running Trees, Dazzling Lights, and Fried Chicken
Japan has its own unique approach to Christmas that includes amazing light displays, delicate cakes and delicious fried chicken.
Advox by the Numbers: 2015 in Digital Rights
In 2015, Turkey blocked 166 websites for publishing one controversial image, Thai activists knocked 5 government websites offline in a virtual "sit-in", and Mexico spent $6.3 million on surveillance software.
Is Christmas Really Banned in Brunei?
Yes and no. Non-Muslims can celebrate in their homes and places of worship. And as one netizen commented, "Why is the supposed Christmas 'ban' only reaching Western media now?"
From Hallacas to Horchata, the Tastes of Latin America's Holiday Season
“Vitello tonnato” in Argentina, Russian salad in Venezuela and turkey in Peru. Explore the sweet and savory of the festive season in Latin America, as told by Global Voices contributors.
On Taiwan, Facebook and the Politics of Trolling on the Chinese Internet
When Facebook became accessible in mainland China, trolls descended on a Taiwanese politician. What might happen if Facebook were to become permanently accessible in China?
Russia's Citizen Journalists: Mercenary Mudslingers or Intrepid Investigators?
Since three bloggers were arrested in Samara, their story of muckraking and blackmail has come to threaten the future of investigative blogging, as well as Governor Nikolai Merkushkin's tenure.
25 Years After Officially Closing, Kyrgyzstan's Biggest Dump Is Still Rancid and Expanding
Is the toxic, anarchic landfill that has troubled Bishkek for over two decades about to be brought to heel?
This Year on GV Face We Took You to Gaza, Budapest, Beirut, Paris and Beyond
This has been a fascinating year on GV Face, our Hangout series where we try to understand the world through discussions with our on-ground experts -- Global Voices community members.
Award-Winning Citizen Journalist Ahmad Almossa Killed in Idlib, Syria
Ahmad Mohamed Almossa, a member of Syrian citizen journalism collective Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS), was assassinated by masked men in northern Syria, the group announced on Twitter.
The Bridge From Russia to Crimea Doesn't Exist Yet, But It Already Has an Instagram Account
Cats can help improve your bridge construction project's social media strategy, especially if you need to draw attention away from how slow and expensive your project is.
What Will it Take to End Police Brutality in Armenia?
A complacent executive and uncaring judiciary have given a free hand to the Caucasus country's unloved police force.
On Politics, Big Contracts and Parties in Trinidad & Tobago
Government ministers are seen socialising with corruption accused. The president of a corruption watchdog organisation is forced to resign. Coincidence? One blogger calls foul and tries to connect the dots.
Countries Declare States of Emergency in the Face of El Niño
“This El Niño and human-induced climate change may interact and modify each other in ways which we have never before experienced. El Niño is turning up the heat even further.”
The Syrian Conflict Won't Steal My Christmas
In a country in the throes of war, celebrating Christmas can be an act of both profound naïvete and staunch resistance.
Meet the People Who Want to Repeal Russia's Draconian Laws
A group of Russian intellectuals has created a public council to determine which Russian laws limit human rights and freedoms, and to recommend that such laws be repealed.
Bangladesh Will Demand Biometric Data From All SIM Card Users
The scheme will create a massive database of citizens' communications data that could give the government unprecedented access to the mobile communications of Bangladeshi citizens.
Massive LiveJournal Troll Network Pushes Pro-Kremlin Narratives
An in-depth analysis of Twitter bots' metadata reveals connections to Russian "troll factories" and a vast network of pro-Kremlin LiveJournal blogs populating RuNet with propagandistic content.
Denmark's Afghan Community Comes Together to Condemn Violence and Extremism
"We hope as well that the global community does not forget the places around the world affected exactly by this epidemic. Afghanistan is exactly one of those places.”
This Is What It Looks like When Thousands of Migratory Birds Descend on Peru
"Franklin's gull isn't native to Peru, but we Peruvians have adopted it as ours as it visits us for centuries during spring and summer."
Roscomnadzor Head Claims Google and Apple Are ‘Relocating Servers’ to Russia
Aleksandr Zharov, head of the Russian media watchdog, told journalists Google and Apple were "working on localizing their databases on Russian territory," but said the information was "unofficial."