Stories from May, 2019
Anti-Muslim attacks stoke tensions and incite fear amongst mourning Sri Lankans
On 12 May Sunday, anti-muslim violence started over a Facebook post by a Muslim trader in coastal Chilaw town in Puttalam District, North Western Province of Sri Lanka.
In Hong Kong, the sexual connotation of Ikea's new tofu ice cream ad creates controversy
"[The ad] generates the image of a woman wishing for her body to be eaten like tofu."
Facebook posts trigger more arrests in Bangladesh, worrying netizens
Two people were arrested on May 14 and 15, for comments they had posted on Facebook. The arrests have sparked indignation and concern on social media in Bangladesh.
Global Voices is seeking an Advocacy Director
Global Voices is seeking an Advocacy Director to guide our reporting, activism and research on freedom of expression and the digital rights field.
Singapore parliament approves ‘anti-fake news’ law — will this curtail free speech?
The law gives broad, unchecked powers to government ministers to determine what online information is "false" and should thus be censored or corrected.
Dear European Commission: Don't let political parties use our data to manipulate the vote
Rather than protecting individuals’ rights, exceptions to the GDPR in some countries are limiting freedom of expression, eroding privacy, and abetting the spread of disinformation.
Hong Kong multimedia project commemorates the 30th anniversary of June 4 massacre in Beijing
"Facts are being distorted [...] No journalist should let this happen. Not only should they retell the tragedy but also their insights into it. That's the obligation of every witness of history."
Chased by dogs on Google Street View Japan
A cute dog on Google Street View has gone viral on Japanese Twitter, resulting in more than 100,000 retweets.
Bolsonaro's new gun decree could put reporters in danger, says journalism association
"With the stroke of a pen, Bolsonaro transformed reporters into targets of criminals."
Pussy Riot's Maria Alyokhina: ‘Even in Russia, social media is still an effective method for uniting people’
Masha Alyokhina talks art, activism, and feminism in Russia -- and why a new cold war is coming.
Looking back at Feral Tribune, Croatia's doomed but legendary satirical newspaper
Feral Tribune was known for its impartial coverage of war in the Balkans and caricatures that ridiculed the nationalist leaders in former Yugoslavia.
Trinidad & Tobago promotes equality, but politicians often can't resist talking race
Trinidad and Tobago's Equal Opportunity Act has provisions against offensive behaviour, but when it comes to politics the race card gets played time and time again.
‘No votes until the road is built': why some Goan villagers are boycotting the Indian elections
Bad roads, lack of water and electricity supply pushed these Goans to boycott the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in Marlem village in the Indian state of Goa.
The road signs that stirred up Albania-Greece relations yet again
Authorities have stated that the signs violated legislation regulating the order, size, and font in which Albanian and minority languages should be displayed.
Netizen Report: Widespread throttling puts social media out of reach in Kazakhstan
Social media is faltering in Venezuela, throttled in Kazakhstan and back in action in Sri Lanka.
Tencent's new game shows how censorship rules are implemented in China
The new regulation compels game publishers to promote Chinese values, culture and images through their games.
In India, Rooh Afza lovers rejoice as the drink returns to shelves in time for Ramadan
After months without the beloved drink Rooh Afza, Muslims in India can now breathe a sigh of relief as it returns to shelves just in time for Ramadan.
How the word ‘gender’ became a slur in Bulgaria
Homophobia and transphobia are widespread in Bulgaria, whose government has recently cozied up to the extreme right.
The police were the ‘surprise guests’ at a fundraiser at Budapest's Auróra community center
Community center managers say the local municipality has been trying to shut Auróra down for years.
Is Stella Nyanzi ‘weaponizing the vagina'? Ugandan feminist goes to court in free speech case
On her quest for good governance, Stella Nyanza is "unflinching in her criticism of the Ugandan government" and unafraid to tackle taboos around sex, gender and LGBT rights.
Mauritanian blogger escaped the death penalty, but remains behind bars
Ould Mkhaitir was prosecuted for writing an article in which he criticised the role of religion in Mauritania’s caste system.