Stories about Free Expression from April, 2016
Xulhaz Mannan, an LGBT Activist in Bangladesh, Is the Latest Victim in a String of Brutal Killings
Since 2005, at least 23 bloggers and activists have been killed and scores of others attacked or threatened with death for their progressive and secular views.
A University Professor Is Hacked to Death, Another Victim of Deadly Intolerance in Bangladesh
Rezaul Karim Siddique joins a long list of intellectuals, bloggers and foreigners who have lost their lives in similar killings purportedly carried out by Islamist militants.
Iranian Cartoonist Atena Farghadani's Prison Sentence Reduced From 12 Years to 18 Months
"To my cartooning colleagues around the world: let's keep watching and speaking out for Atena Farghadani."
Azerbaijan's Hunger Games: Independent Media on the Brink
"We declare yet again, by opening this absurd criminal investigation the government of Azerbaijan is creating barriers to freedom of speech, and journalism activity."
Malaysia Will Likely Force ‘Political Blogs’ and News Websites to Register With the Government
Human rights groups and media freedom advocates denounced the proposal as a curtailment of free speech, adding that the move reverses Malaysia's earlier stated commitment to promoting Internet freedom.
Netizen Report: That Time When the Internet in Ecuador Died
Ecuador weathers a sudden mass Internet outage, insulting Tanzania's president proves costly, Twitter gets settled unsettlingly in China, and more.
Dissidents Worry #TwitterisDead After Company Hires Former Chinese Military Officer
"This is a severe threat to the Chinese struggling for free speech."
Tanzania's Cybercrime Act Makes It Dangerous to “Insult” the President on Facebook
Tanzanian netizen Isaac Habakuk Emily is accused of posting a controversial Facebook message "insulting" the president of Tanzania.
Cambodian Human Rights Group Criticizes Telecoms Law
Some observers suspect that the law reflects the ruling party's desire to stifle online discussions as elections approach in 2017 and 2018.
Netizen Report: Advocates Stand Up to Cybercrime Legislation in Brazil and Pakistan
Cybercrime battles rage in Pakistan and Brazil, Italian regulators put a lid on Hacking Team, and Wikimedia loses copyright fight in Sweden.
A Breakdown of the Current Version of Brazil's Cybercrimes Bill
Following criticism, the Commission made some changes to the most controversial elements of the legislation. But a battle still lies ahead.
Under Brazil's Cybercrime Bill, Social Media Sites Could Become ‘Permanent Agents of Vigilance’
"If somebody insults a politicians on a social media platform, the platform will be obligated to remove the content in a maximum of 48 hours."
Iranian Blogger Struggles for Health and Freedom After 18 Days on Hunger Strike
Anti-censorship activist and blogger Hossein Ronaghi Maleki has been on hunger strike since March 26, and his health is deteriorating rapidly.
Secular Activist Targeted and Killed in Bangladesh
The 28-year-old law student was murdered by three assailants in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on April 7, 2016. The young man was most likely targeted for his critiques of religious conservatism.
In Kenya, Banned Music Video Celebrating Same-Sex Love Stays on YouTube
The Kenya Film Classification Board has banned the video arguing that "it does not adhere to the morals of the country."
Maldives Media Crackdown Triggers Forced Newspaper Closure, Journalist Arrests
Riot police used brute force and pepper spray and strip-searched both male and female journalists, who hailed from several local media organizations.
Zambian Deputy Minister Attacks Bank Employee Over Facebook Comment
The Deputy Minister’s visit reportedly was marked with obnoxious name calling, threats and shouts that shocked clients and security personnel at the bank.
Posting Photos of Red Bowls on Facebook Is Now Deemed Seditious by the Thai Junta
"The Thai junta’s fears of a red plastic bowl show its intolerance of dissent has reached the point of absolute absurdity."
