Stories about Free Expression
Pro-democracy activists in Zimbabwe are being prosecuted for ‘public disorder’
The Kofi Annan Foundation has condemned the harassment, intimidation, and persecution of these human rights and democracy defenders, urging authorities to uphold due process of law.
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.’
Covering Gaza: The deadliest war for journalists
Israel’s ongoing attack has tragically become the deadliest conflict for journalists ever recorded.
Malaysia’s social media licensing rule: Online protection or censorship?
"Licensing of social media platforms is unnecessary, high-handed and poses a serious danger to our democratic right to criticise or question the Government."
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.”
In Azerbaijan it isn't just the president for life, but the parliament too
Regardless of whether old faces will remain in the parliament, or will be replaced by their children, the upcoming snap parliamentary vote will have little impact on the country's future.
Freedom of assembly and freedom of expression curtailed as deadly student protests rock Bangladesh
Violent protests rocked Bangladesh in the past week as peaceful students protests turned violent as vested groups hijacked the movement. As of July 24, 197 people have been killed and thousands injured.
Fact-checkers condemn physical attack against journalist of Croatian fact-checking service Faktograf
Fact-checking and journalist associations condemned of the attack against the ward-winning journalist Melita Vrsaljko, who covers climate issues for Croatian fact-checking service Faktograf that took place on July 16 near Zadar.
Pakistan's intelligence agencies gain legal cover for surveillance
Despite Supreme Court rulings against illegal surveillance, Pakistan's decision allowing it's spy agency, ISI, to monitor nearly all digital conversations has sparked outrage among political leaders, activists, and legal experts.
Chair of Hong Kong press union Selina Cheng fired by Wall Street Journal
Selina Cheng was told that employees of The Wall Street Journal should not be seen as advocating for press freedom “in a place like Hong Kong.”
Mauritania leading the way with freedom of expression in Africa
According to the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index, Mauritania boasts the greatest press freedom ranking on the African continent and in the Arab world.
Attack on pro-Palestinian activist in Taiwan undermines Israel's image on the island
Since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, Taiwan has seen several civic initiatives calling for an alternative discussion of events in Gaza.
Singapore files charges against three women for ‘illegal’ pro-Palestine rally
"The simple act of Singaporeans peacefully delivering a letter to the President’s office must be respected and protected."
Bangladesh: Meta accuses ruling party and think tank of coordinated inauthentic behavior
Meta's Quarterly Adversarial Threat Report 2024 noted the removal of 50 Facebook accounts and 98 pages in Bangladesh for “coordinated inauthentic behavior” and spreading misleading information targeting the opposition leaders and activists.
Controversial hacktivists may have prompted El Salvador’s censorship of Telegram
Salvadoran hacktivists disclose personal identity of millions of Salvadorans. While their ethics are put into question, they want to expose Bukele’s government as corrupt and inefficient.
Women’s investigative journalism in Madagascar: An interview with Damy Govina
In Madagascar, a bilingual women’s investigative media outlet, which is the first of its kind, seeks to promote independent journalism that will have a substantial impact on democracy.
‘Free at last': Aussies respond to Julian Assange homecoming
"This case has … a serious chilling effect on public-interest journalism, and sends a terrifying message to any sources sitting on evidence of abuses by the government and its agencies."
‘We cannot be dispirited’: Mother Nature activists defiant after court conviction in Cambodia
Ten environmental activists in Cambodia were found guilty of insulting the king and plotting against the government in connection with their environmental justice campaigns.
In Georgia, a series of legal amendments are putting the country's EU aspirations on hold
A foreign agent bill, a ban on gender election quotas, and most recently an LGBTQ+ propaganda bill are just the latest legal amendments proposed by the ruling Georgian Dream party.
Guinea's toxic media landscape threatens press freedom
The press has paid a heavy price for the restrictions on freedom since the 2021 coup d'état in Guinea. This environment does not support journalists in their work.
