Stories from May, 2014
Singapore Prime Minister Sues Blogger for Defamation
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong sued blogger Roy Ngerng for defamation in connection to a blog article alleging that the leader was involved in corruption.
“I Can Feel Total Censorship in the Air”: Internet Freedom Evaporates in Thailand
"Freedom of expression is Thailand is at stake...Simply criticising the Council could land one before a military court."
365 Days of Snowden: This June 5, Say No to Surveillance
It has been nearly one year since the first Snowden leaks. This June 5, activists will be launching campaigns, lobbying legislators and holding live events to speak out against mass...
Netizen Report: Thai Military Blocks Over 100 Websites Under Martial Law
This week, floods in Serbia bring wave of anti-censorship activism, a Singporean political blogger faces defamation charges, and privacy prevails in Germany's “revenge porn” case.
China to Perform Security Inspections for Tech Products
A new policy will give Chinese authorities a legal basis to pressure technology companies and online service providers to remove "illegal" products -- like circumvention tools -- from the marketplace.
Serbian Bloggers Censored for Criticizing Flood Relief Efforts
Bloggers, journalists and rights-conscious Internet users have flooded the Serbian web with republications of a blog post condemning the government for stifling free expression during the country's state of emergency.
The “Happy” Video That Got Six Young People Sent to Jail
Six Iranians were jailed and forced to confess on national television that they were tricked into the making of a "Happy" video in Tehran.
Moroccan Blogger and Rapper El-Haqed Arrested Again
Friends say police recognized the rapper and explicitly targeted him at a football match. Mouad Belrhouat, aka El-Haqed, has been jailed twice since 2011 for his political music and activism.
Netizen Report: Indonesia Tries to Ban Vimeo For Sexual Content
This week's Netizen Report looks at looming social media censorship measures in Spain and Russia, and a possible "loosening" of online restrictions in Iran.
On May 22, Say Happy Birthday To Bassel
On May 22, Bassel Safadi will celebrate his 33rd birthday -- his third in a prison cell in Damascus. We do not want him to spend his birthday alone. We...