Stories from January, 2014
Saudi Arabia Jails Palestinian Poet for ‘Atheism and Long Hair’
Palestinian poet Ashraf Fayadh is in a Saudi prison, allegedly for spreading atheism - and having long hair. Online networks are calling for his release.
GV Face: Live from the Arab Bloggers Meeting #AB14
GVers Advox Director Hisham Almiraat, GV MENA Region Editor Amira Al Hussaini, SMEX Co-Director Mohammed Najem and Berkman Fellow Dalia Othman share with us their insights from this remarkable event.
Statement: Release Alaa Abd El Fattah And All Unjustly Detained In Egypt
At the 4th Arab Bloggers Meeting in Amman, Jordan, representatives from the region released a a statement pressing for the freedom of currently imprisoned Egyptian blogger Alaa Abd El Fattah.
Netizen Report: Winter Olympics Bring Chilling Effects to the RuNet
This week's Netizen Report begins with look at US government surveillance during the civil rights movement, and then move to new online censorship threats in Russia and Ukraine in the face of increasingly powerful public demonstrations.
China: Free Ilham Tohti — Support Ethnic Reconciliation
Ilham Tohti, founder of Uyghur Online and a moderate advocate for ethnic autonomy policy in China was arrested on January 15. Supporters are advocating for his release online.
Ukraine Stifles Freedom of Speech, Peaceful Protest With New Law
The Ukrainian parliament has passed a law that openly restricts free speech, peaceful protest and free communications in the country, leaving citizens and journalists outraged.
Zambian Police Go After ‘Watchdog’ for Publishing Draft Constitution
Indy news site the Zambian Watchdog published a leaked draft of the nation's constitution -- police now say they will use "international legal provisions" to prosecute those behind the Watchdog.
Russia’s Parliament Prepares New “Anti-Terrorist” Laws for Internet
Another Internet crackdown looms in Russia, where the Duma is reviewing three new pieces of “anti-terror” legislation that could place hefty restrictions on the activities of websites and civil society.
Next Week in Amman: 4th Arab Bloggers Meeting #AB14
Next week, bloggers, techies, activists and entrepreneurs from throughout the Middle East and North Africa will come together in Amman, Jordan for the 4th Arab Bloggers Meeting!
Netizen Report: Turkey to Tighten Grip on Digital Speech
Is freedom of the press "limited to those who own one”? We hope not! This week, we look at India's increasingly politicized media environment, Turkey's new online censorship bill, and more.
Monitoring the Russian Internet for Big Bucks
The Russian Federal Protective Service is asking software developers to design a system that automatically monitors the country’s news and social media, producing reports that study netizens’ political attitudes.
‘Red Pencil Protest’ Demands Media Freedom in Malaysia
A weekly magazine was suspended in Malaysia after it ran a story on the Prime Minister's spending habits. In response, journalists took to the streets to denounc media censorship.
Hong Kong 2013: A Burgeoning New Media Sector and a Backward Government
Despite legal and technological barriers, new online media projects pushing making big waves in the push for transparency, accountability, and fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong.
“No”, the Brilliant and Optimistic Campaign that Boosted a Revolution
What can we learn from political campaigns of the past? A look back at the movement that brought an end to Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship in Chile.
Award-Winning Egyptian Activists Receive One-Year Suspended Sentence
A report from this week's trial of Alaa Abd El Fattah, Mona Seif, and other activists accused of arson in what appears to be a politically motivated case.
Prison Flees: Reflections on Alaa, Activism, and Community
"Alaa reminded us how our encounter with technology became a way of living." Reflections from Lina Attalah on friend and activist Alaa Abd El Fattah, currently in prison in Egypt.
Lebanon: SMEX Tracks Web Filtering Through Research, Crowdsourcing
New research from Social Media Exchange shows web blocking data from Lebanon -- and invites users to join a crowdsourcing effort to learn more about blocking across ISPs.
On Alaa, Learning, and the Struggle
"These friendships come in fragments, but they are sometimes the best we have." Reflections from Jillian York on friend and activist Alaa Abd El Fattah, currently in prison in Egypt.
Netizen Report: Korean Indy Sites Accused of Producing “Not Real” News
Are anti-protest laws the new black? Is Facebook reading your mind? What if Egypt becomes the de-facto cyber security leader of Africa? These questions and more in this week's Netizen Report.
WikiLeaks Supporters Shocked by Visit With Syria's Assad
The view from down under: A late December meeting between Australia's Wikileaks Party and Bashar al-Assad has raised critical questions about the WikiLeaks Party and platform.
