Stories about Feature from January, 2014
AB14: “We Must Stop Thinking That Technology Will Solve All of Our Problems”
The Arab Bloggers Meeting focused on working against censorship and surveillance, and the preservation of common bonds in a milieu that feels more and more fragmented each day.
Netizen Report: Terror Group Forces Internet Shutdowns in Somalia
In this edition we cover Al Shabab's attack on the Somali Internet, citizen surveillance schemes in Ukraine and India, and the UK's wayward new porn filters.
Coursera Blocked in Syria — by US Sanctions [UPDATE]
The US federal government that has forced Coursera and other Massive Online Open Course providers to block access for users in sanctioned countries such as Syria and Iran.
Arab Bloggers Demand Release of Rights Activists in Syria
A statement released at the 4th Arab Bloggers Meeting participants, supporting the release of Razan Zaitouneh, a human rights lawyer and the co-founder of Syria's Violations Documentation Center.
Saudi Arabia Jails Palestinian Poet for ‘Atheism and Long Hair’
Palestinian poet Ashraf Fayadh is in a Saudi prison, allegedly for spreading atheism - and having long hair. Online networks are calling for his release.
GV Face: Live from the Arab Bloggers Meeting #AB14
GVers Advox Director Hisham Almiraat, GV MENA Region Editor Amira Al Hussaini, SMEX Co-Director Mohammed Najem and Berkman Fellow Dalia Othman share with us their insights from this remarkable event.
Netizen Report: Winter Olympics Bring Chilling Effects to the RuNet
This week's Netizen Report begins with look at US government surveillance during the civil rights movement, and then move to new online censorship threats in Russia and Ukraine in the face of increasingly powerful public demonstrations.
Ukraine Stifles Freedom of Speech, Peaceful Protest With New Law
The Ukrainian parliament has passed a law that openly restricts free speech, peaceful protest and free communications in the country, leaving citizens and journalists outraged.
Russia’s Parliament Prepares New “Anti-Terrorist” Laws for Internet
Another Internet crackdown looms in Russia, where the Duma is reviewing three new pieces of “anti-terror” legislation that could place hefty restrictions on the activities of websites and civil society.
Next Week in Amman: 4th Arab Bloggers Meeting #AB14
Next week, bloggers, techies, activists and entrepreneurs from throughout the Middle East and North Africa will come together in Amman, Jordan for the 4th Arab Bloggers Meeting!
Netizen Report: Turkey to Tighten Grip on Digital Speech
Is freedom of the press "limited to those who own one”? We hope not! This week, we look at India's increasingly politicized media environment, Turkey's new online censorship bill, and more.
Monitoring the Russian Internet for Big Bucks
The Russian Federal Protective Service is asking software developers to design a system that automatically monitors the country’s news and social media, producing reports that study netizens’ political attitudes.
Hong Kong 2013: A Burgeoning New Media Sector and a Backward Government
Despite legal and technological barriers, new online media projects pushing making big waves in the push for transparency, accountability, and fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong.
Award-Winning Egyptian Activists Receive One-Year Suspended Sentence
A report from this week's trial of Alaa Abd El Fattah, Mona Seif, and other activists accused of arson in what appears to be a politically motivated case.
Prison Flees: Reflections on Alaa, Activism, and Community
"Alaa reminded us how our encounter with technology became a way of living." Reflections from Lina Attalah on friend and activist Alaa Abd El Fattah, currently in prison in Egypt.
On Alaa, Learning, and the Struggle
"These friendships come in fragments, but they are sometimes the best we have." Reflections from Jillian York on friend and activist Alaa Abd El Fattah, currently in prison in Egypt.
Netizen Report: Korean Indy Sites Accused of Producing “Not Real” News
Are anti-protest laws the new black? Is Facebook reading your mind? What if Egypt becomes the de-facto cyber security leader of Africa? These questions and more in this week's Netizen Report.
Egypt: The Muppets Intelligence Agency
In Egypt, a Muppet-like character is being accused of sending coded messages to terrorists. Amr Tarek explains why this puppet is on trial.
Netizen Report: Will Saudi Take the “You” Out of YouTube?
Fresh back from a holiday hiatus, this week we look at post-Snowden fallout in Southeast Asia, activist push-back on censorship in Morocco, and a new site that "translates" terms of service for the average user.
