I am the editor-at-large for Global Voices’ Advox section (advox.org), where I served as director from 2015-2019. I am originally from Philadelphia, US and have lived in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Havana, Cuba. Follow me on Twitter.
Latest posts by Ellery Roberts Biddle
Venezuelans see the politics of humanitarian aid play out in online attacks
A unique and technically sophisticated attack this week targeted VoluntariosxVenezuela, an opposition-aligned humanitarian aid website.
Venezuela's crisis of political legitimacy has rocked Wikipedia — and might have led to its blocking
Venezuelan Wikipedians are at war over a question rattling the country: Who has legitimate claim to the presidency?
Censored in 2018: Protest videos, court verdicts, real news — and Peppa Pig
From blocked websites to revoked media licenses to account shutdowns, censorship comes in many forms. Here are a few we saw in 2018.
How will Google plug into China’s all-encompassing internet censorship regime?
How far is Google willing to go to get the Chinese government's blessing?
Access denied: How Uganda’s social media tax is turning news and information into luxury goods
For Uganda’s poorest residents, the new tax raises internet connection costs by 10%.
What's happened to digital rights over the past seven years? 300 editions of the Netizen Report will tell you
This week, we're looking back at seven years of covering global digital rights news in celebration of our 300th edition!
Jogging through Tiananmen Square: What happens when Facebook meets China's censorship regime?
"The floor you stepped on has been covered by blood from students who fought for democracy. But, enjoy your running in China, Mark."
Censored, But Not Backing Down: Cuban News Site Staff Say They Won't Change Their Editorial Line
Online news magazine "El Estornudo" has been blocked inside Cuba and its editor writes an open letter that can be read in other media outlets inside the island.
What Happens at Maekelawi? Tales of Torture from an Ethiopian Detention Center Slated for Closure
"It turns out that the anguish of Ethiopian prisoners, something that appeared to be so distant in memory, is not that far off after all."
Despite Regime Change, Macedonian Civil Society Is Still Reeling from Political Persecution and ‘De-Sorosization’
Will Macedonia's new government keep its promise to respect the role of civil society?
Authorities Are ‘Whitewashing’ the Devastation and Death Toll in Puerto Rico
Local media outlets in Puerto Rico are finding that key information about hurricane damage has been, as one US Congressman put it, "whitewashed."
Facebook’s Free Basics Doesn't Connect You to the Global Internet – But it Does Collect Your Data
Regardless of whether they log into Facebook, users of Free Basics are constantly sharing their data with Facebook.
Who Are the #Istanbul10? Learn About the Work of Jailed Human Rights Defenders in Turkey
A group of human rights defenders and information technology trainers continue to face jail time in Turkey and accusations that they were "aiding a terrorist organization without being a member."
Tunisian Media Activist Interrogated Over Sources of Leaked Documents
Sami Ben Gharbia is a significant figure in independent media and digital human rights activism in Tunisia and the Arab region.
Ecuadorian Elections Marked by Website Outages, Twitter Suspensions
Along with pro-opposition websites, some media rights groups saw a sharp decline in traffic on the evening of the election.
If You Really Want To Know What's Happening With Tech in Cuba, Read Beyond the Headlines
Internet access is fleeting, connection quality is poor, and the costs of getting online are astronomical. But you wouldn't know it from the headlines.
Macedonia’s Ruling Party Is Draining Civil Society Groups’ Time—and Money
Ruling partly leaders are calling for the "de-Sorosization" of Macedonian civil society, arguing that the country's civil sector should rely on the Macedonian government for financial support.
#SaveArash: Jailed Iranian Activist Arash Sadeghi is Fighting for Human Rights — And His Life
Arash Sadeghi was on hunger strike from 23 October 2016 until January 3, 2017. He remains alive and conscious, according to close contacts of his family.
Macedonia's Ruling Party Lashes Out at Civil Society After Contested Elections
Flyers naming civil society members (so-called “traitors”) were distributed in the mailboxes and under windshield wipers throughout the capital, Skopje. Others were targeted on social media.
‘History Will Absolve Me': Fidel Castro Dies at 90
Fidel is a figure of legend, arguably as much for those who revere him as for those who reject his legitimacy as a leader.
The World Attempts to Make Sense of ‘Trumpocalypse’
As the United States - and the world - go through the country's election hangover, Americans and people around the globe ponder how Donald Trump became president-elect.
