Stories about Feature from March, 2019
Russian regulators ask VPNs to block blacklisted websites, but most have refused
This defeats the purpose of a VPN, a technology used primarily to help people access censored websites.
#WelcomeHomeAlaa: Egyptian revolution activist Alaa Abd El Fattah released after five years in prison
Alaa was a leading voice among Egyptian bloggers and technology activists in Cairo approaching and during the Egyptian Revolution.
Netizen Report: Activists in Pakistan and Malaysia confront online backlash after International Women’s Day events
This week, the EU parliament approved its Copyright Directive, Pakistan blocked mobile services (during a military parade) and Bangladesh blocked Al Jazeera English.
Facebook comment about throwing an egg at Singapore minister triggers police probe
"To be honest, I don't feel much regret. I feel it's a matter of freedom of speech, and that we have a right to voice such opinions."
With elections just days away, Ukraine faces disinformation, cyber attacks and further Russian interference
Ukraine may be home to “the most globally advanced case of computational propaganda.” How will this affect the presidential election?
Censored on WeChat: #MeToo in China
The term “rice bunny”, which sounds similar to “me too” when spoken in Chinese, was used as a replacement hashtag to get around the censors.
Two years after completing his sentence, Emirati activist Osama al-Najjar remains in detention
Al-Najjar was arrested over tweets calling for the release of prisoners of conscience in the Emirates.
Welcome to the Venezuelan internet. Luis Carlos and Naky will be your guides.
Through serious analysis and their signature wit, Luis Carlos Diaz and Naky Soto have helped a generation of us learn our digital rights.
Netizen Report: EU activists make a final push to keep the internet filter-free
The EU makes a final decision on copyright rules, Iraq considers a new cybercrime law, and internet activists in Kazakhstan, Egypt and Venezuela face legal threats.
Russian journalist forced to resign for Telegram channel critical of St. Petersburg authorities
Journalist Maria Karpenko says her editor confronted her about co-running a Telegram channel critical of St. Petersburg authorities.
‘Blood feud’ against Chechen blogger is the culmination of a months-long, unusually frank conversation about a buried past
Heated exchanges provide a rare glimpse into painful and conflicted issues that are burning hot in today’s Chechnya, ten years after the official conclusion of the Second Chechen War.
Activists speak out against Iraq's cybercrime bill
The bill prescribes lengthy prisons sentences, including life imprisonment, for speech-related offences.
#FreeSerikjan and the long shadow of Xinjiang's camps in neighbouring Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan's government is nervous about what Seikjan Bilash is doing, and will happen if his popularity grows.
Slovak businessman charged with ordering murder of journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée
"This is a significant step, and a rare one in murders of journalists. We hope authorities keep their promise to bring all perpetrators to justice."
Teen theatre production banned by Russian authorities for promoting ‘non-traditional family relations’
Russia has recently passed a series of socially conservative laws targeting activists, advocacy groups and online media for anything that can be construed as "promoting homosexuality to minors."
Censored on WeChat: the disappearance of Ye Jianming, former chairman of CEFC China Energy
With Ye's disappearance, the details of quiet agreements between his multi-billion dollar company and the Chinese government began to unravel.
Scheduled release of Egyptian activist Alaa Abd El Fattah delayed by 10 days
The #FreeAlaa campaign reassured supporters that the delay is not a cause for concern for now.
Groups denounce continuous cyberattacks against independent media in the Philippines
"The goal is to deny a public hungry for information the reports and stories it needs to understand what is happening in a country besieged by lies and disinformation."
Charged with ‘instigating crimes’, journalist Luis Carlos Diaz is released in Venezuela
The Global Voices community is relieved that our colleague is safe and with his family.
Journalist and human rights defender Luis Carlos Díaz detained by state security in Venezuela
After hours of silence from the authorities, Díaz was confirmed to be detained by the Bolivarian Intelligence Police (SEBIN).
