Stories about Feature from November, 2012
Life Sentence for Qatari Poet for Insulting Amir
The poem is said to praise the Arab Spring, drawing comparisons to other countries living in repression and under dictatorship. According to Qatari journalist Abdulla Al Athbah, Al-Deeb's poem was seen as insulting to the Qatari Amir, and called for overthrowing his rule.
Syria Plunges Into Total Info Darkness
On Thursday, the US-based internet connectivity monitoring firm, Renesys, reported that internet was cut off in Syria. All of Syria's 84 IP address blocks were inaccessible, “effectively removing the country from the Internet.”
Netizen Report: Facebookistan Edition
We begin our weekly report in "Facebookistan" - whose rulers have decided to change the social network's site governance policies. Facebook is also facing a new wave of scrutiny from Europe for changes to its privacy policies. From there we turn to privacy issues in Hong Kong and on Google, a new global initiative to fight censorship, and much more.
Netizen Report: #Gaza Edition
This week's Netizen Report begins in Gaza, where the conflict between Israel and Hamas has highlighted sensitive issues in the negotiation of free speech online by Internet companies. From there, we move to Russia, where over 180 websites have been blacklisted for offensive content under a child pornography law. Then, we move to Portugal, the UAE and beyond.
In Case of Disconnection: Preparing Gaza for an Internet Shutdown
For days, rumors have abounded that Israel—which controls the telecommunications infrastructure of Palestine—plans to shut down the Internet in Gaza. While thus far the rumors have proven false, various organizations and actors are working to ensure that Gazans are prepared.
Translation Project: Protect Global Internet Freedom statement
Over the next seven days, Global Voices Lingua volunteers will be translating a public online petition that supports the protection of human rights online and urges government members of the...
Blogging on behalf of Hamid
Antonella has not blogged since long time. Her last blog post was on April 25, 2012 in which she wrote: “Dear Hamid, Every day I discover how vast a...
China: Beijing Twitterer Detained for Writing Micro-fiction
A Beijing Twitterer @Stariver has been detained since November 7th, 2012, at the eve of the 18th National Chinese Communist Party Congress. According to his friends who visited his family...
Netizen Report: Chinese Leadership & Censorship Edition
This week's Netizen Report begins in China, where an unprecedented level of censorship has been reached as the nation goes through its once in a decade leadership change. From there, we move to Egypt, which has revisited a ban on porn sites originally ordered in 2009. Then, we go to Australia, the EU and beyond.
MENA Netizen Report: Porn Edition
Most of this month’s report was researched, edited, and written by Rayna St, Nermeen Edrees, and Hisham Almiraat. After a YouTube trailer named “The Innocence of Muslims” sparked a widespread...
Latin America and the Caribbean Netizen Report: Cybercrime Edition
In the last 10 years, various countries in the region have put forward legislation that attempts to combat computer crimes. As a result of these initiatives, the state collects the personal information of Internet users, running the risk of violating their right to privacy.
International Day to End Impunity: Join the Campaign
To demand justice for all artists, journalists, musicians and writers who are forcibly silenced around the world, IFEX has decided to name November 23 the International Day to End Impunity. Join in!
Anonymous Twitter Account Leads Major Protests in Kuwait
Tens of thousands showed up in the areas of Mishref and Sabah Al-Salem protesting the Kuwaiti Amir's amendment of the voting law which allows a citizen to vote for one candidate instead of four. What is interesting though is that an anonymous Twitter account is the one deciding dates of marches and meeting points. Mona Kareem shares Twitter reactions to the march, in addition to photographs and videos.
Same Technology, Different Freedoms: How U.S. Copyright Law Can Restrict Mobile Devices
From a user’s perspective there is not much difference between a smartphone and a tablet. Both devices are portable touch-screen computers, and while the a smartphone might have a dedicated...
Egypt To Block Porn Sites… Again
On Wednesday, November 7, the Egyptian Public Prosecutor decided that online pornography was “inconsistent with Egyptian traditions and values.” He ordered a general ban of all porn sites in Egypt.
Netizen Report: Baku Edition
This week's Netizen Report begins at the Internet Governance Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan, which is a UN-sponsored event to discuss major Internet governance issues. It comes just weeks before the World Conference on International Communications starts in Dubai, which could alter the structure of the Internet, according to online free speech advocates. From there, we move to Russia, whose Telecom Minister has asserted the government does not intend to censor the Internet in response to criticisms over a new law to protect children online. From there, we move to Pakistan, China and beyond.
Azerbaijan: “A Country that Portrays Social-Networkers as Mentally Ill”
While all eyes were on the presidential election in the United States, a major international conference started on Tuesday in Baku, the capital of the former Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan. The 7th United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) claims to bring “all stakeholders” as equal partners to discuss major issues relating not only to the future of the Internet but also to matters of policing, management, and of course, freedom of expression online.
Chile: Why do we Need Exceptions to Copyright?
We have already explained how copyright can clash with freedom of expression. But are there legal alternatives in a copyright system that is increasingly restrictive? If all works are always an interpretation of other works, can we have access to them without necessarily becoming “delinquents”? The good news is that yes, we can, although there are limitations. We have released a new video in the #NoTemasaInternet (Don’t fear the Internet) campaign and will soon upload more material about this issue.
Protecting the Open Web: Net Activists Unite
Netizens around the world are coordinating advocacy on the upcoming conference of the International Telecommunication Union, where member states will decide whether or not the ITU should cover Internet-policy matters—leaked treaty documents include proposals for global regulations that could place limitations on online privacy, free expression, access to information and ICT use around the world. Find out how you can get involved in the effort.
Azerbaijan: Open Letter to President Aliyev Ahead of International Governance Forum in Baku
The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is a UN-sponsored conference which aims to “bring[ ] together all stakeholders in the internet governance debate.” This year it is held in Baku, the...
