Latest posts by Taisa Sganzerla
Freedom of expression in a downward spiral in Southern Africa, says new study
Outdated laws, exorbitant fees, and stifling of dissent have ramped up violations to the right of free expression in Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Myanmar introduces ‘draconian’ cyber security bill amid growing anti-coup protests
'It can be expected that the true aim of the bill is to repress freedom of expression online and ban social networks.'
New Russian law demands self-censorship from social media platforms
Experts believe that the most likely reason for the new self-censorship legislation is the state's desire to curtail the growing discontent and protest activity in the country.
Nigerian protesters arrested for resisting reopening of the Lagos Lekki toll gate
The protest came on the heels of the Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry's decision to reopen the toll gate— a move perceived as insensitive to victims of the Lekki shootings.
Is Mozambique trying to expel a foreign journalist?
Bowker is the founder of the news website Zitamar News, which in recent years has been praised for its coverage of the armed conflict in the Cabo Delgado province.
Security concerns and legal ambiguities threaten the future of Ukraine's ‘State in a Smartphone’
On the anniversary of its launch, the revolutionary e-government app Diia boasts 6 million users, but seems to fall short when it comes to security standards and privacy.
COVID-19 and shrinking freedom limits in Jordan
In Jordan, recent detentions of journalists and activists in 2020 bear the hallmarks of a police state.
In Kyrgyzstan, social media hate goes unchecked
In the wake of a contested election, Kyrgyzstan’s civil society activists, opponent politicians, and independent journalists are being heavily targeted online — with help from the country’s post-crisis leader.
How global tech companies enable the Belarusian regime — and the Belarusian revolution
Belarus has globalised enough for its rulers to be undermined if western technology becomes less accessible, but also globalised enough to reorient itself to larger markets in the East
North Macedonia court rejects lawsuit by journalists over 2017 Parliament attack
Journalists sued the Macedonian state for the violence they faced on that fateful April 27, 2017, when a mob stormed the Parliament. A court ruled they failed to prove the attack happened.
The fight against fake news: A restrictive policy for online freedom of expression in Senegal
In Senegal, the government’s attempts to control fake news raises questions about how to fight against it without infringing on rights and freedoms — particularly online freedom of expression.
Seven African governments employ surveillance spyware, says new study
Equatorial Guinea, Botswana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have employed surveillance technology from Circles, a firm affiliated with Israel's NSO Group, according to the report by Citizen Lab.
Singaporean activist who staged a solo protest with a ‘smiley’ placard charged with illegal assembly
"I barely stayed in the area for more than several seconds. Yet, what I did has been deemed as a public protest by the State."
Pressure mounts on Egypt to release prominent human rights defenders
Three senior members of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), one of Egypt’s most prominent human rights groups, were arrested earlier this month on charges of terrorism.
Global Voices condemns the attacks on North Macedonia NGO Metamorphosis Foundation
We call on North Macedonia's public authorities to investigate the attacks and enforce the appropriate legal remedies against the perpetrators, as well as provide protection to Metamorphosis staff.
Lynch mobs in India, fake news in Brazil — when disinformation goes viral, should Facebook take action?
Facebook may still not know its power when it comes to disinformation.
Will fake news carry Brazil's favored far-right candidate to victory?
Facebook and WhatsApp have seen a flurry of false and misleading posts promoting Jair Bolsonaro, who is likely to be Brazil's next president.
By Attempting to Curb Disinformation on Slain Politician Marielle Franco, a Brazilian Judge Hands Facebook Censorship Powers
The order could set a dangerous precedent for freedom of speech online in the country.
São Paulo City Hall's Official Facebook Page is Blocking Users Who Criticise the Mayor
The revelations cast light on the uncharted legal territory of how official digital accounts of public institutions are administrated when they are hosted by private platforms, such as Facebook.
Brazil's Largest Newspaper Quits Facebook, Accuses it of Harboring ‘Fake News’
Folha's editor accused Facebook of "...banning professional journalism from its pages in favour of personal content and opening space for ‘fake news’ to proliferate."