Stories about Censorship from August, 2024
Azerbaijan clears out critics ahead of COP29
Azerbaijan has had one of the lowest international rankings on citizens’ rights and freedoms. Even so, Azerbaijani President Aliyev has insisted persecutions against civil society are justified.
Two Hong Kong journalists found guilty of sedition after a 2-year trial
Two former chief editors of the now-defunct Stand News were found guilty of sedition, marking the first such conviction of journalists since the former British colony returned to China in 1997.
Tech giants criticized for silencing Pro-Palestinian narratives
Social media platforms are accused of suppressing Palestinian voices, raising concerns about the impact on democratic debate and freedom of expression globally.
Starlink in Sudan: A lifeline or war facilitator?
Sudan's conflict has crippled telecommunication as both sides leverage and disrupt internet services to gain control.
Venezuelans use AI avatars and Instagram Live to fight back Maduro's repression
After Venezuela's contested presidential elections of July 28, President Maduro has increased repression and surveillance of dissidents. Venezuelans look for ways to break through the censorship.
Website blocking in India: One arrow for all
A report last updated in March 2024 by a digital rights organization observed that 55,607 websites were blocked between 2015 and 2023.
In Turkey, a street interview lands a citizen in jail
“Insulting the president,” and “inciting hatred and hostility among the public,” are both common charges leveled against government critics in Turkey.
Internet shutdowns in Sudan allow the bypass of regulations
Sudan’s internet shutdowns bypass legal frameworks, raising concerns about human rights and highlighting the growing influence of decentralized technologies like Starlink.
Post-election repression in Venezuela: Authorities target human rights defenders and humanitarian workers
Maduro's government calls for imprisonment of opponents in so-called ‘Operation Tun-Tun.’
Turkey blocks access to Instagram
According to the most recent Internet Censorship report produced by the Free Web Turkey platform, in total, “access to 219,059 URLs, including 197,907 domain names were blocked in Turkey in 2023.”
Taiwan struggles to combat Chinese influence in it’s generative AI tools
Taiwan released TAIDE, a Taiwan-centric generative AI bot, in April 2024, to address cultural and political bias and security risks, like industrial espionage, cyber-attacks and propaganda, associated with imported AIs.
