Stories from August, 2014
Ukraine Asks Facebook’s Zuckerberg to Discipline Kremlin Bots
Ukrainian Facebook users have complained to Mark Zuckerberg himself that their accounts are being blocked on the site in droves—and they're blaming the Kremlin's bot army.
Activist Blogger in Vietnam Gets 3 Years Behind Bars for ‘Obstructing Traffic’
A court has sentenced a prominent Vietnamese activist blogger to three years in prison for posing a “serious obstruction to traffic.” Her two other companions will join her behind bars.
Two Months After Flooding, Digital Freedoms in Serbia Are Still in Trouble
In the wake of devastating floods that hit Serbia in May 2014, several local websites that published materials that criticized the government's relief efforts suffered technical attacks.
Serbia’s ‘Declaration of Internet Freedom’ Wins Big Support from Western Dignitaries
Serbian bloggers have drafted a Declaration of Internet Freedom, and representatives of the international community are showing their support.
Leaked Documents Reveal How the Chinese Communist Party Channels Public Opinion
What exactly do China's online "opinion analysts" do? A recent scandal at Peking University sheds light on the question.
Critics Fear Bangladesh's New Media Monitoring Policy Will Stifle Free Expression
Many have raised questions about the new draft broadcasting policy of Bangladesh -- analysts say it is regressive and will control the media.
Iranian Minister Says Government ‘Never Promised’ to End Web Censorship
ICT Minister Vaezi's words contradict President Hassan Rouhani's pledge to lift bans on popular social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.
Massive Leak Opens New Investigation of FinFisher Surveillance Tools in Pakistan
Unknown hackers released 40 gigabytes of data uncovered about the use of FinFisher, the malicious digital spyware kit, in Pakistan. The Digital Rights Foundation reports on first findings.
Advocates Petition UN for Action on Jailed Egyptian Blogger Alaa Abd El Fattah
The Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Media Legal Defence Initiative asked the UN to intervene immediately in the case of Abd El Fattah, who began a hunger strike this week.
Netizen Report: Ukrainian Journalists Confront Kremlinesque Censorship Scheme
In this two-week summer edition, we look at rising threats to Internet openness in Ukraine, new censorship tactics in Iran, and the Kremlin's WiFi hotspot spy system.
Prominent Egyptian Activist Alaa Abdel Fattah Goes on Hunger Strike
Egyptian activist and blogger Alaa Abdel Fattah has entered an open-ended hunger strike until he is released from prison, his family said in a statement posted on Facebook today.
SMS Death Threats Stoke Fears on Fate of Abducted Journalist in Maldives
The messages came just before the unexplained disappearance of journalist and democracy advocate Ahmed Rizwan Abdulla.
ISIS Beheads Kidnapped Photojournalist James Foley in Horrific Video Message
A video allegedly showing the beheading of American photojournalist James Wright Foley, missing in Syria for 636 days, by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), was released today.
The Internet Never Forgets: Join a Global Conversation on the EU’s ‘Right to Be Forgotten’
If the 'Right to be Forgotten' were implemented in your country, would it threaten the public interest? Global Voices editors are asking experts worldwide for their thoughts on the issue.
Freedom of Information Dealt A Blow in Mexico: IFAI Won't Challenge Telecom Law
Disappointment and frustration prevail as the IFAI's decision leaves Mexico's citizens defenseless against the country's crucial new telecom law.
Journalist and Democracy Advocate Ahmed Rizwan Abdulla Missing in the Maldives
The prolific social media user is vocal against hatred in the name of religion and has not been shy about criticizing the Maldives Islamist Adhaalath Party and other political parties.
Bridging the Digital Divide? Facebook and Telcos Bring Free Apps to Zambia
The industry partnership provides subscribers with access to select sites and services -- and requires users to create a Facebook account.
Iran Vows to Block All “Unlicensed” Websites
On the day to recognize journalists, Iran's Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance announced that all news websites must henceforth obtain a state license -- or face automatic censorship.
Russia Just Doubled Its Internet Surveillance Program
At first glance, "SORM 2.0" seems redundant, but the reform of police surveillance online could vastly expand the reach of the Kremlin.
Human Rights Experts: Pakistan Could Become a “Police State” Under Protection Ordinance
If implemented in its current form, the consequences of Pakistan's "Protection Ordinance" on citizens’ rights will be far reaching, both on and offline.
