Stories about Free Expression from September, 2016
In Tanzania, Expressing Political Opinions on Social Media is Becoming Increasingly Dangerous
Five Tanzanian citizens, Dennis Temu, Suleiman Nassoro, Shakira Makame, Juma Mtatuu, Dennis Mtegwa, appeared before a Tanzanian court September 14 charged with insulting President John Magufuli on social media. The five denied the charges. It is alleged that the five shared offensive content targeting the president and the police between August…
Kuwait Detains Activist Sara Al-Drees for Insulting the Country's Ruler
The pro-democracy activist has previously served jail time for the same charge.
Jordanian Authorities Impose Media Gag After Writer's Killing
Jordanian authorities have banned media coverage of the assassination of Nahed Hattar, a writer who was shot dead on September 25 by a gunman in the capital Amman.
The UAE Has Avoided an ‘Arab Spring’ by Systematically Repressing Critical Speech
Wary of an Arab-Spring like uprising within its borders, the UAE government launched an unprecedented crackdown on critics and activists.
Netizen Report: In Cuba, Text Messages With Controversial Content Are Disappearing
Journalist repression is on the rise in Cuba, Saudi bans LINE, and Russian authorities jail gamer for offending religious people, Pokemon-style.
Ghanaian President Vows Not to Shut Down Social Media During Elections
Ghanaian president John Mahama has assured the nation that social media will not be shut down during elections due to take place on December 7.
Algerian Court Upholds Conviction of Activist Jailed for Insulting Islam on Facebook
Despite having his sentenced decreased by two years, Bouhafs will still remain in jail for expressing his views.
Netizen Report: With Gabon's Internet Shutdown, Activists Confront Challenges of Circumventing Censorship
Bhutan makes headlines in Facebook defamation case, Paraguay uses censorship to protect children from the Internet, and Iran enters talks with French telco Orange.
Russia's Pokemon Gulag
Ruslan Sokolovksy’s alleged crime was filming himself playing Pokemon Go inside a Russian Orthodox cathedral. If convicted of the charges, he could go to prison for up to five years.
Cuban Journalist and LGBT Activist Sacked for Working With Non-State Media
"It doesn’t matter where you publish, even if it’s just on your blog. We will always be reading what you write."
After Two Months on Hunger Strike, Jailed Algerian Journalist Enters Coma
Mohamad Tamalt went on hunger strike on 27 June to protest his arrest and imprisonment. He is in jail for insulting the Algerian President online.
‘Spy’ Trial Against Macedonian Journalist Is Postponed Amid Calls for His Release
"Such cases are intended to punish the disobedient journalists and intimidate and discipline the others."