Stories from May, 2019
Papua New Guinea PM pushes proposal for social media regulation, citing need to stop ‘fake news’
"The fact is you can't control platforms were information is circulated, attempts to do such undermines the role of democracy and freedom that is enshrined under the constitution."
Dear European Commission: Don't let political parties use our data to manipulate the vote
Rather than protecting individuals’ rights, exceptions to the GDPR in some countries are limiting freedom of expression, eroding privacy, and abetting the spread of disinformation.
Netizen Report: Widespread throttling puts social media out of reach in Kazakhstan
Social media is faltering in Venezuela, throttled in Kazakhstan and back in action in Sri Lanka.
Is Stella Nyanzi ‘weaponizing the vagina'? Ugandan feminist goes to court in free speech case
On her quest for good governance, Stella Nyanza is "unflinching in her criticism of the Ugandan government" and unafraid to tackle taboos around sex, gender and LGBT rights.
Mauritanian blogger escaped the death penalty, but remains behind bars
Ould Mkhaitir was prosecuted for writing an article in which he criticised the role of religion in Mauritania’s caste system.
Despite the release of detained Reuters reporters, free speech remains under threat in Myanmar
"...the case of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo is proof that journalists are in constant risk of political reprisal for keeping power in check."
Mozambican journalists are released pending trial, after months in detention
Amade Abubacar and Germano Adriano were in detention since January, but were only formally charged on 16 April. Now they must await trial on probation.
Ugandan regulators order 13 media outlets to suspend staff over coverage of opposition figure
The Ugandan regulator says media houses that fail to comply with their directive could have their licenses revoked.
Too big to be anonymous? Russian journalists unmask a famous anti-Kremlin blogger, sparking ethical debate
StalinGulag’s posts are usually acerbic, profanity-laden critiques of Russia's political system, generating thousands of likes and retweets.
Why is Twitter blocking state accounts in Venezuela?
The unique public value of accounts like these -- even if they are spewing hateful or partisan vitriol -- is worth considering.
Venezuela's political crisis is intensifying and censorship is on the rise
Food, water and electricity are increasingly scarce, as is access to communication networks.
‘Envision a new war': the Syrian Archive, corporate censorship and the struggle to preserve public history online
Social media companies are censoring images of war. The Syrian Archive is working to preserve them.
