Stories about News from January, 2013
Netizen Report: Great Firewall Edition
This week's Netizen Report begins in China, where netizens have faced greater censorship challenges since the beginning of the new year. From there, we move to Tajikistan, where authorities have removed a ban on a number of websites including Facebook and Radio Ozodi. Then, we move to Pakistan, Iran and beyond.
Zambia: Foreign Minister's Phone Tapped
Zambia's Foreign Minister, Given Lubinda, is under pressure to resign from the ruling Patriotic Front party. He is accused by the party's disciplinary committee of leaking information to online publications. The accusation is based on evidence that was allegedly gathered by wiretapping the minister's phone.
Colombia: Copyright Law Rejected by Constitutional Court
On Wednesday night, October 23, 2012, the Colombian Constitutional Court declared unconstitutional Articles 13 and 14 of the Law 1520, better known as Lleras Law 2.0. The proposed law provides for sanctions of online copyright infringement, in accordance with the Free Trade Agreement signed between Columbia and the United States.
Netizen Report: Game Over Edition
This week's Netizen Report begins in South Korea, where new legislation would make it illegal for juveniles to play online games after 10 pm. Then, we move to Tajikstan, which has blocked news outlets and social networking sites in advance of upcoming elections. From there, we move to Oman, Bangladesh, and beyond.
South Korea: Stricter Online Games Regulations Face Discontent
The South Korean government in on the offensive against online games addiction. But the policy is increasingly controversial among South Korean youth, says our author Jae Yeon Kim.
Nigeria: Tweep Detained For Taking Photographs
The Nigerian blogosphere was thrown into panic due to the arrest of Eggheader Odewole (@eggheader) for taking photographs of a windmill under construction in Kastina, Northern Nigeria.
Kuwaiti Twitter User Jailed for Two Years for Insulting Emir
Kuwait slapped a two year prison sentence to yet another Twitter user for using the microblogging site to insult its ruler. Netizens react.
China: Google's Quiet Withdrawal of Censorship Warning Raises Questions
Google has quietly removed a feature that used to inform users from mainland China of censored keywords. Is this---as some speculate---a move by Google to please Beijing in an attempt to reenter the Chinese market?
Venezuela: Home of Twitter User Raided
The home of Twitter user Federico Medina Ravell, who's allegedly behind the account @LucioQuincioC, was raided on Sunday, January 6, by Venezuelan intelligence officers. The micro-blogger is suspected of spreading rumors about the health of Mr Hugo Chávez.
China: Sina Weibo Manager Discloses Internal Censorship Practices
One Sina Weibo manager , frustrated by the pressure from the Propaganda Department imposed upon him and his colleagues, forcing them to censor a controversial editorial, writes an inside story to explain his difficult position.
Zambia: Minister Threatens Editors of Online Watchdog with Treason Charge
A Zambian government minister has allegedly threatened to arrest the editors of the online citizen media newspaper, Zambian Watchdog. The minister is also said to have threatened to charge the editors with treason, a capital crime in Zambia, punishable by death.
