Stories from March, 2016
Russian Censors Target Public Wi-Fi Spots in Crusade Against Blocked Websites
Russian censors are now policing public Wi-Fi in places such as cafes, shopping malls or public libraries, to make sure ISPs are blocking access to websites that are officially banned.
#Justice4Morocco: Human Rights Defenders’ Trial Postponed Again
Among those charged is Hicham Khribchi aka Hisham Almiraat, a medical doctor and long-time member of the Global Voices community.
China Shuts Down Communist Party News Site, Arrests 20 Over Call for Xi Jinping's Resignation
Though the letter was only online for a few hours, it is viewed as a direct challenge to Xi Jinping's leadership from party insiders.
Aliyev's Toys, or the Treatment of Political Prisoners in Azerbaijan
"Our hostage life is over. We are free now! I wish freedom to all our friends remaining behind bars."
Netizen Report: Congo Shuts Down All Communications on Election Day
Bahrain court slams social media satirist in absentia, circumvention tools take another hit in Russia, and Facebook is off the hate speech hook in Germany (at least for now).
Yahoo Reports First Content Removal Requests from the Russian Government
This is the first time Yahoo has reported receiving Russian requests requests to remove user-generated content from services such as Flickr and Yahoo Groups.
Indian Migrant Worker Arrested in Saudi Arabia For Denouncing Working Conditions on Facebook
"People stuck...in a country where they are treated worse than dogs, for years in very bad conditions, that's the reality 'necessary' for us to fuel our tanks. Infuriating and depressing."
Netizens Mock Mark Zuckerberg's Love Affair with China
"Mark, you have six people in your running team. Did you apply for authorisation to run on the street? If not, this is illegal in China."
Russia Plans to Fine Websites for ‘Propaganda’ of Circumvention Tools
The Kremlin is so worried about internet circumvention tools it now seeks to make mere mentions of them illegal and introduce fines for "propaganda" of ways to access blocked websites.
Netizen Report: Uganda and Nigeria Seek Stricter Controls for Social Media
Thuggery runs rampant in the MENA region, Chile bans spy balloons and Google gears up to expand implementation of the "Right to Be Forgotten."
‘Nude’ Photos of Australian Aboriginal Women Trigger Facebook Account Suspensions
Facebook has been attacked over its suspension of people in Australia for posting a photo of topless Aboriginal women performing a public ceremony.
#WhereisBassel: Imprisoned Syrian Technologist Is Still Missing
Five months ago, Syrian web developer Bassel Khartabil disappeared from a Damascus prison, where he had spent four years since his 2012 arrest. Join supporters and ask: #WhereisBassel?
Between Hashtags and Memes, Bolivian Leaders Push for Social Media Regulation
A draft law that would regulate social media -- with criminal consequences for its violators -- has sparked intense debates among Bolivian citizens.
Bahrain Arrests Activist Zainab Al Khawaja Along with her One-Year-Old Baby
Bahrain arrested human rights activist Zainab Al Khawaja along with her 15-month-old toddler. The arrest comes on the fifth anniversary of the arrival of Saudi troops to crush pro-democracy protests.
Chinese Journalists Need a Press Law for Protection
"If there is no law, we take the initiative and can control [media] as we want."
Kurdish Reporter Faces Jail Time in Turkey for Twitter and Facebook Posts
Turkish authorities increasingly "conflate coverage of banned groups and investigation of sensitive topics with outright terrorism or other anti-state activity."
A Mexican Public Servant Is Using Periscope to Expose Lawbreakers, but Not Everyone Approves
"I’m in favor! The root of our problem is that corruption and illegality are socially accepted. Periscope encourages a change in mindset."
Twitter Reports Massive Increase in Russian Government's Content Removal Requests
In the second half of 2015 Russian government agencies submitted 1,735 requests to remove content from Twitter—more than 25 times the number submitted in the first half of 2015.
Netizen Report: Facebook VP Arrested in Brazil for Refusing to Give Police WhatsApp Data
A Facebook executive is arrested in Brazil, Bolivia’s President says he wants to regulate social networks, and China shuts down 580 social media accounts for “misleading the public”.
Graphic Artists Launch Online Poster Campaign to ‘Free the Media’ in Malaysia
"We feel that the time has come for Malaysians to demand for media and internet freedom in light of the latest assault on freedom of speech in Malaysia."
