Stories from February, 2012
Iran: Another blogger was arrested
Nama Jafari,blogger and journalist was arrested. He was editor of a cultural site. He also wrote a book called “a gathering in solitary confinement”.
Global Voices Partners with Electronic Frontier Foundation on “Bloggers Under Fire”
In 2009, Global Voices launched Threatened Voices, an innovative project to track threats to bloggers and netizens worldwide. At the time, Threatened Voices filled a void in coverage, during a...
Iran: Journalists Threatened by Email “You Will be Punished”
Several Iranian activists and journalists have received an email threatening that they will be punished according to the “Islamic Punishment” law of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
China: Activist's Wife and Son Harassed Online
An anonymous Twitter user has disclosed Wen Yunchao, his wife and son's personal information online. Wen is an outspoken blogger and free speech activist on the Chinese Internet and has...
China: Chinese Communist Party Plans To Lead Microblogging Platform
In China, all conventional media outlets are under the direct leadership of Chinese Communist Party (CCP). A CCP secretary is planted in every media organization to oversee the content and...
Morocco: Busted for Posting Caricatures of the King on Facebook
On February 7, 2012, Walid Bahomane appeared before a court in the Moroccan capital Rabat. The 18-year-old is accused of “defaming Morocco's sacred values” by posting pictures and videos on Facebook mocking king Mohammed VI of Morocco.
Netizen Report: Which Way Ahead?
In the past few weeks, we have witnessed how Internet companies - the sovereigns of cyberspace - struggle with the conflict between market demands for global expansion and the demands of their users for freedom of expression online. In this edition of our twice-monthly report on developments affecting the freedom of netizens around the world, we report on new censorship policies at Twitter and Google, privacy developments, new legislation, netizen activism against the ACTA trade agreement, efforts by bloggers and activists around the world to fight repression, and much more.
China: Censoring Opinions on China's veto on UN resolution on Syria
Even though the People's Daily propagated [zh] that “China’s veto was in accordance with the Syrian people’s basic interests”, Chinese concern citizens have not been misled by the official media...
Iran: Innovations in Cyber Dictatorship
In the latest examples creative repression over the internet, the Islamic regime has used Skype as a long-distance interrogation tool, and wrested control over a Facebook group for photos of hot guys and girls from its administrators.
Oman: Blogger Muawiya Alrawahi Detained
It has been reported on Twitter that outspoken Omani blogger Muawiya Alrawahi, known for his controversial ideas, has been detained because of a blog post and some tweets in which he criticised Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the ruler of Oman.
Iran: Blogger was sentenced to 14 years in prison
Several bloggers reported that Mehdi Khazali, a blogger and publisher was sentenced to 14 years in prison. The blogger was sentenced to 90 lashes too. He can appeal this sentence.
Kuwait: Ahmad Mansoor, a UAE blogger denied entry
Ahmad Mansoor, UAE's most famous blogger who was detained last year for several months with four other activists for signing an online petition calling for reforms in his country, was...
China: Several Tibetan Language Blog Sites Shut Down
Against the backdrop of a stream of self-immolations in Tibet in protest against Chinese rule, unrest in eastern Tibet and a severely increased military presence, several of the most popular Tibetan language blog sites have gone offline as of today. Dechen Pembar reports.
Ethiopia: Freedom of Expression in Jeopardy
More than ten journalists have been imprisoned in Ethiopia since June 2011 and according to the Committee to Protect Journalists about 25% of exiled journalists in Africa are from Ethiopia,...
South Korea: National Security Law Muted North Korea Related Discussions
A South Korean Twitter user, Park Jeong-Geun has been arrested since January 11, 2012 for re-tweeting messages such as “Long Live General Kim Jong-Il” in Twitter. Under the curry National...
We the terrorists…?
This is how the FBI can consider everyone liking his/her online privacy. Katitza Rodrigez was depicting very finely and accurately the current state of privacy fights right before International Privacy...
New Book on Global Struggle for Internet Freedom
How do we ensure the Internet develops compatibly with democracy? And how do we become active “netizens” who take responsibility for our digital future? This is the subject of Rebecca McKinnon's new book: "Consent of the Networked: The Worldwide Struggle For Internet Freedom."
Iran: Blogger under pressure to give TV confession
Iranian blogger Hossein Ronaghi Malki is under pressure to give TV confession according to his mother. He is serving a 15 year prison sentence in Tehran.
