Stories about News from June, 2013
Nepali Journalists Arrested for Reporting on College Students’ Sex Lives
Three Nepali journalists were arrested on charges of publishing indecent and defaming content online. Police took them into custody after officials at a public university complained that the journalists had written about female students using eggplants as sex toys.
Netizen Report: Turkey to Increase Social Media Restrictions?
Global Voices Advocacy's Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world. This week's report explores current and impending threats to freedom of expression in Turkey, Vietnam and Nepal.
Vietnam: Bloggers Arrested, Accused of Spreading “Anti-State” Propaganda
Three prominent bloggers in Vietnam have been arrested in less than a month. All three are accused of spreading anti-state propaganda.
Netizen Report: The World Reacts to PRISM
Global Voices Advocacy's Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world. This week's report features responses from governments and civil society to new information about phone and Internet surveillance programs run by the US government.
Netizen Report: US Internet Spying Program Revealed
Global Voices Advocacy's Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world. This week's report offers a round-up of coverage on the revelation of a widespread Internet surveillance program by the United States, known as PRISM.
Bangladesh Unblocks YouTube After Eight-Month Ban
Bangladesh's telecommunication authorities have unblocked YouTube in Bangladesh after 260 days of restricting access within the country to the video sharing website.
US Spying Whistleblower Edward Snowden Takes Refuge in Hong Kong
The man behind the bombshell intelligence leaks that revealed top secret US phone and Internet surveillance programs said he fled to Hong Kong because they "have a spirited commitment to free speech and the right of political dissent". But some in Hong Kong aren't so sure about the government's willingness to him.
VIDEO: Turkish Protests Filmed by the People, for the People
As the #OccupyGezi protests have surged, Turkish mainstream media has foundered, failing to cover the anti-government demonstrations for fear of retribution. Citizen journalists have stepped up to fill the role, reporting and filming so that the Turkish people and the world can see what's happening in the country.
Singapore’s ‘Largest Blogger-led Protest’ Bats for Media Freedom
An estimated crowd of 2,000 people joined a protest assembly in Singapore’s Hong Lim Park last June 8, 2013 to oppose the government’s new licensing scheme for news websites. Organized by the ‘Free My Internet’ movement, it was reported to be the ‘largest blogger-led protest’ in Singapore.
The Business Behind China's Internet Real Name Registration System
One company stands to profit in a big way as China pushes forward with a policy to require Internet users to register their real names and their national identification numbers in order to participate online.
VIDEO: How the Trans-Pacific Partnership Could Hurt Internet Users
A new animated video explains how the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a massive trade agreement being negotiated by the United States and ten governments from around the Pacific region, could have alarming consequences for Internet users.
As Protests Continue, Turkey Cracks Down on Twitter Users
The critical role that social media and the Internet are playing in the anti-government protests engulfing Istanbul and other parts of the country has not gone unnoticed by Turkish authorities. Police have arrested dozens of people accused of publishing “misinformation” on Twitter to encourage others to join in the ongoing unrest.
Saudi Arabia Blocks Instant Messaging App Viber
Following the Saudi threat to block encrypted communication software unless the government is allowed to spy, the instant messaging application Viber was blocked earlier yesterday. The website can no longer be accessed and the application does not connect.
Philippines Offers ‘Enhanced’ Cybercrime Prevention Law
The Philippine government is ready to submit an ‘enhanced version’ of the controversial Cybercrime Prevention Act in response to the widespread opposition to the law, saying it will drop the online libel provision in order to focus on organized cybercrimes. Some groups welcomed the news, but others still pressed for the whole law to be scrapped.
Netizen Report: Jordan Censors Hundreds of Websites
Global Voices Advocacy's Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world. This week's report highlights new censorship practices in Jordan and China and troubling developments in Turkey as protests continue.
Mexico: Local Cyberbullying Law Could Threaten Free Expression
In the Mexican state of Nuevo León, as of last week, anyone who uses social networks to publish messages or images that cause "harm, dishonor, discredit to a person, or exposes him or her to contempt" can be incarcerated for up to three years.
