Stories about Syria
Will Syria follow in the UAE's footsteps and censor VoIP services?
A policy banning VoIP services will present a direct threat to Syrians’ rights to privacy and freedom of expression.
What's happened to digital rights over the past seven years? 300 editions of the Netizen Report will tell you
This week, we're looking back at seven years of covering global digital rights news in celebration of our 300th edition!
Telcos must disclose more data about internet shutdowns, say civil society groups
New research shows that the world's largest telecommunications companies disclose little to no information about their network shutdown policies and practices.
Keeping His Story Alive: The Creative Legacy of Bassel Khartabil
One month after his execution was confirmed, friends honour Bassel Khartabil through art, song and new opportunities for open technology innovators.
Netizen Report: Tech Community Mourns Open Source Activist Executed in Syria
Global Voices Advocacy's Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
Global Voices Honors the Life of Open Web Activist Bassel Khartabil, Executed by the Syrian Regime
We honor all of Bassel's work as a leader in the open web movement, and the efforts of all those who advocated for his release over the past five years.
Artists and Writers Celebrate the Work of Missing Syrian Developer Bassel Safadi
"I’ve lived all my life dreaming of Freedom, and Bassel taught me to embrace it. I feel overwhelmed when I mention his name."
Syrian Civil Society in Douma Navigates a Tough Crackdown
Fundamentalist backlash to a magazine article has thrown civil society in Douma and Eastern Ghouta into turmoil, as activists and journalists struggle to get back to work.
Jaysh Al-Islam Is Leading Peace Talks in Geneva, While Clamping Down on Speech in Syria's Eastern Ghouta
The group controlling the region has shut down a magazine and five well-known civil society organisations, according to activists.
Netizen Report: Open Source Developers Endure Long Prison Sentences, And Worse
Global Voices Advocacy's Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
#FreeBassel: Missing for More Than a Year, Syrian Web Developer is Not Forgotten
October 3, 2016 marked the one-year anniversary since Syrian-Palestinian software engineer Bassel Khartabil, also known as Bassel Safadi, disappeared from his prison cell in Syria.
He Supported Bombing Syria a Little Too Eagerly, Now RuNet Pioneer Faces Prison
Anton Nossik faces two years in a penal colony after calling for the bombing of territory controlled by the Syrian government.
#WhereisBassel: Imprisoned Syrian Technologist Is Still Missing
Five months ago, Syrian web developer Bassel Khartabil disappeared from a Damascus prison, where he had spent four years since his 2012 arrest. Join supporters and ask: #WhereisBassel?
How Netizens Are Pushing Back Against ISIS’ Social Media ‘Propaganda Machine’
Alongside the efforts of big companies and governments, many independent groups and individuals are making their own efforts to combat ISIS' activities online.
Netizen Report: Keeping the Spotlight on Syria’s Independent Media
As protests continue in Ethiopia, Bahrain is contracting for new Internet filtering tools. Meanwhile, another Ecuadorean politician faces jail time for critical tweeting.
Syrian Filmmaker Naji Jerf Killed in Turkey After Exposing ISIS Crimes in Aleppo
Syrian film-maker Naji Jerf, 38, was shot dead in broad daylight in Gaziantep, Turkey, for uploading a video exposing ISIS crimes in Aleppo, Syria, on YouTube.
Award-Winning Citizen Journalist Ahmad Almossa Killed in Idlib, Syria
Ahmad Mohamed Almossa, a member of Syrian citizen journalism collective Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS), was assassinated by masked men in northern Syria, the group announced on Twitter.
‘We Still Don't Know Where Bassel is': Syrian Web Developer Has Been Missing for Two Months
Over 37,000 supporters are urging Syrian authorities inform Bassel's family of his whereabouts and give him clemency. We now call on the UN to intervene on his behalf.
#FreeBassel: Death Sentence Rumored for Syrian Web Developer
Rumors are circulating that imprisoned Syrian-Palestinian software engineer Bassel Khartabil, also known as Bassel Safadi, has been secretly sentenced to death by the Syrian government.
Digital Citizen 3.9
Digital Citizen is a biweekly review of news, policy, and research on human rights and technology in the Arab World.