Stories about Advocacy from August, 2012
Netizen Report: Assam Edition
This week we begin in the Indian state of Assam, which has faced religious conflict after the spread of rumors of violence against Muslims on social media became a self-fulfilling prophecy. The Indian government responded with censorship, demonstrating the complexity of government imperatives to find a balance between Internet freedom and national security. From India, we move to Jordan, Tunisia and beyond.
Colombia: CELE Analyzes Constitutionality of Bill Lleras 2.0
The Center for Studies on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information (CELE, according to its Spanish acronym) requested to be considered as “friend of the court” in order to provide inputs for the discussions around the unconstitutionality of Bill 1520, also known as "Bill Lleras 2.0", which reforms the copyright regime in Colombia.
Infographic: You Are Not Safe Online!
This infographic shows the various ways that your online information is at risk.
Tips for Citizen Journalists Using YouTube's New Face Blur Tool
This guest post from WITNESS provides tips on using YouTube's new facial blurring tool.
“Don't Fear the Internet”: Copyright and Online Freedom of Expression
At this stage of the "Don’t fear the Internet" campaign we will focus on how some specific copyright laws and practices end up discouraging the use of the Internet for human expression. Here are five introductory answers to a problem that unites global activism against SOPA, ACTA, TPP, etc.
Assange Asylum Granted After Threats from UK Authorities
This morning, Thursday 16 August, 2012, in a press conference streamed from the website of the Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Ricardo Patino declared that the country would grant asylum to the Founder and Editor of WikiLeaks, Julian Assange. This comes after threats by UK authorities to remove Assange from the Embassy.
Middle East and North Africa Netizen Report: First Edition
In this first edition of the Middle East and North Africa Netizen Report, we look at various threats facing netizens in the region, from the widespread use of a surveillance tool called FinFisher to new censorship measures facing Jordanian Internet users. The edition also covers issues in Bahrain, Iraq, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Syria, Morocco, and more.
Netizen Report: Search Edition
This report starts off in the Googleplex, looking at a series of challenges Google has faced over the management of its search results. From there, we turn to other Sovereigns of Cyberspace, including Craigslist, Facebook and Apple, each of which is reshaping the Internet environment through a series of policy changes. Then we turn to Hong Kong, the Ukraine, and beyond.
“Don't Fear the Internet”: Chile's Voto Ciudadano initiative
"Don’t Fear the Internet", an initiative that seeks to highlight the importance of online freedom of expression, looks at the case of "Voto Ciudadano" (Citizen Vote), a platform that gives citizens the opportunity to vote on different issues.
Netizen Report: Pan-African Edition
This week's Netizen Report starts out in Sub-Saharan Africa, where we look at how Pan-African organizations and a number of countries are debating issues of free expression online. From there, we move on to cover the latest developments in the struggle for freedom and control of the Internet in Myanmar, China, France, United States, the United Nations, Facebookistan, and beyond...
Tweeting the Principles of Internet Freedom
In an effort to promote the principles of an open Internet, Mera Szendro Bok encourages readers to tweet the Declaration of Internet Freedom.
Brazil: Congress to vote on “Bill of Rights” for Internet users
The Marco Civil da Internet, a "bill of rights" for Internet users proposed in Brazil, would represent a paramount advance in country's progressive digital policymaking agenda. Officials expect the law will come to a vote on August 8. Rather than framing digital policy as a matter of criminal violations, the law sets rights for users and aims to balance these with the interests of online companies and law enforcement.
Netizen Report: Olympic Edition
This week's report focuses on the Olympics. While the opening ceremony celebrated freedom and creativity, the games have in reality been plagued by widespread censorship and restrictions online. In addition, we discuss the challenges Twitter has faced as a primary platform for discussions online during the Games. After leaving London, we go to China, Tajikstan and beyond.
