Stories about South-Asia from December, 2012
China Introduces New Rules to Tighten Government's Grip Over the Internet
On Friday, December 28, China's legislature approved a new set of rules intended to tighten government control over the Internet, forcing internet and online service providers to require real name registration from all their users. What do Chinese netizens think of the new regulations? What are the implications of the these new measures?
Hong Kong: Citizen Media Summit Seeks Common Agenda
An online citizen media summit, organized by inmediahk.net, was held in Hong Kong on December 15, 2012. The objective of the gathering was to formulate a common agenda among local non-mainstream media actors.
China: Government Willingness to Expand Control Over Internet Worries Netizens
A series of articles published by state-run media outlets that justifies online real-name registration and cracking down of cyber crimes makes Chinese netizens worried about the beginning of a new wave of campaign against online dissent.
Pakistan's Fight for Net Freedom
It’s been an active year for digital activism on Internet freedom in Pakistan. The fact that the United Nations deemed it a basic universal human right has not stopped authorities in Pakistan from clamping down on the world wide web in many different ways and by various means.
Global Voices Where Every Voice Counts
The idea that every voice counts is one that is very close to the notion of Global Voices as a platform and as a community. As netizens unite to have their voices heard when the world's authorities argue on who should run the internet, we decided to ask our diverse community to participate and speak out on issues that matter to them and look back at issues we have covered over the year bearing in mind that every voice counts.
Women Banned from Using Mobile Phones in Indian Villages
A village council in the Indian state of Bihar has banned women from using mobile phones because it is “debasing the social atmosphere” and leading couples to elope. Similar bans have also been seen in other parts of India.
Open Letter: To the Netizens of China, From a Netizen of Pakistan
In an effort to build solidarity between people who suffer similar restrictions online, Pakistani activists are launching a campaign to reach out to their Chinese counterparts. As the Pakistani government tries to emulate China's policies to control the internet, Sana Saleem, a Pakistani netizen and Global Voices contributor, sends an open letter to Chinese netizens.
