Stories about Advocacy from May, 2014
Serbian Bloggers Censored for Criticizing Flood Relief Efforts
Bloggers, journalists and rights-conscious Internet users have flooded the Serbian web with republications of a blog post condemning the government for stifling free expression during the country's state of emergency.
The “Happy” Video That Got Six Young People Sent to Jail
Six Iranians were jailed and forced to confess on national television that they were tricked into the making of a "Happy" video in Tehran.
Persecuting Russian Bloggers Doesn't End with Censorship
Pro-Kremlin Internet activists are now targeting tech volunteers working for Russia's top blogger, who is already blocked online and under house arrest.
On May 22, Say Happy Birthday To Bassel
On May 22, Bassel Safadi will celebrate his 33rd birthday -- his third in a prison cell in Damascus. We do not want him to spend his birthday alone. We want him to hear our voices loud and clear and know that we are still supporting his case.
GV Face: Freeing Ethiopia's Zone 9 Bloggers
Nine bloggers and journalists are currently being detained in Ethiopia because of their work. GV author Endalk Chala, a close friend of the detainees, speaks about the case.
Countdown to the End of Twitter in Russia
The deputy director of Russia’s chief censorship agency, Roscomnadzor, has threatened to order a block on Twitter or Facebook entirely, in a matter of minutes.
Netizen Report: Google Loses in EU, Wins in Pakistan
This week's Netizen Report looks at threats to free expression in Venezuela, Azerbaijan, and Malaysia.
Pakistan High Court Demands Unblocking of YouTube
In what appears to be a major victory for Internet openness in Pakistan, Lahore's High Court ruled to unblock YouTube, responding to a legal challenge filed by open Internet advocates.
Security Forces Detain Leader of “SOS Venezuela” Campaign
Rodrigo Diamanti is the president and founder of “Un Mundo Sin Mordaza” (A World Without the Gag), the NGO behind the campaign “SOS Venezuela” and “Your voice is your power.”
Activists Push Back on Mauritania's Information Society Law
A newly proposed law on the Information Society in Mauritania would limit free expression and prohibit the use of encryption. Activists are speaking out against the legislation.
#FreeSimpson: Campaign to Free Jailed Activists in Morocco
Eleven members of the pro-democracy February 20 Movement were detained in April after joining a labor protest. Using #FreeSimpson and #FreeKoulchi hashtags, supporters are calling for their release.
Join the #FreeZone9Bloggers Tweetathon on May 14
Join Global Voices bloggers for an Africa-wide tweetathon in support of the nine bloggers and journalists arrested in late April and currently being detained in Ethiopia.
Digital Citizen 1.6
Digital Citizen brings you the latest human rights and technology news from the Arab World. This edition looks at Internet blackouts in Syria and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, new cyber laws in Mauritania and Morocco, and more.
Why Blogging is a Threat to the Ethiopian Government
"The threat embodied in Ethiopia’s bloggers, journalists and free thinkers is that they are introducing a radical new idea—the idea of a freer, more democratic country."
Saudi Blogger Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison, 1000 Lashes
Yesterday, a Saudi court sentenced Raif Badawi to 10 years in prison and 1000 lashes for setting up a liberal website.
Russian Internet on the Way to Pyongyang
Starting on August 1, 2014 all distributors of online content will be required to retain user data for a minimum of six months after its creation.
4 Ways You Can Join the #FreeZone9Bloggers Campaign
Join the campaign to free nine bloggers and journalists detained in Ethiopia: Write a letter, sign a statement, or organize an event in your city!
Advocates Ask African Commission, UN Experts to Intervene in Zone 9 Bloggers Case
Global Voices joins a joint appeal to the AU and UN Special Rapporteurs to help secure the immediate release of the Zone9 bloggers and declare their arrest and detention a gross violation of their human rights.