Stories about Nigeria
Taxed, throttled or thrown in jail: Africa’s new internet paradigm
Across the continent, the legal and economic costs of speaking up are rising.
Why are African governments criminalising online speech? Because they fear its power.
The noise we make on digital platforms scares oppressive regimes. In some cases, it can even force them to rescind their actions.
Three days behind bars for the ‘crime’ of journalism: Diary of a Nigerian journalist
Investigative journalist Samuel Ogundipe spent three days in detention on spurious charges and was denied access to his lawyer. Now free on bail, he is telling his story.
Netizen Report: Uganda and Nigeria Seek Stricter Controls for Social Media
Thuggery runs rampant in the MENA region, Chile bans spy balloons and Google gears up to expand implementation of the "Right to Be Forgotten."
Nigerian Lawmakers May Criminalize ‘Abusive’ and Anti-Government Messages Online
Nigeria's social media landscape is poised for dramatic changes, if lawmakers get their way with a new bill that would make it possible to sentence Internet bullies to prison time.
“We Cannot Trample Upon the Humanity of Others Without Devaluing Our Own”
The Zone9 bloggers' crime was that they dared to live out "Ubuntu". They promoted their community above individualistic concerns.
Join the #FreeZone9Bloggers Tweetathon on May 14
Join Global Voices bloggers for an Africa-wide tweetathon in support of the nine bloggers and journalists arrested in late April and currently being detained in Ethiopia.
#FreeCiaxon: Detained Nigerian Twitter User Released
Yusuf Siyaka Onimisi was detained shortly after he posted a series of photos and eyewitness reports on an escape attempt by several members of the northern Nigeria-based Boko Haram.
#FreeCiaxon: Nigerian Netizen Missing After Reporting on Deadly Clashes
@Ciaxon was allegedly detained after tweeting his eyewitness account of a shootout between Boko Haram terrorism suspects and state security that left 20 dead.
Nigeria: Gagging Critics or Fighting Cyber Crime?
Nigerian lawmakers are considering multiple bills of law that aim to target online fraud and financial crime, but could undercut key civil liberties along the way.
Nigerian Government to Ramp Up Internet Surveillance?
In April, Nigerian news site Premium Times revealed government plans to purchase equipment that would allow it to conduct online surveillance on an unprecedented scale. The government reportedly had contracted with Israeli company Elbit Systems Ltd to advance the Internet and computer-based gathering of Nigerian citizens' personal data.
Human Rights Verdict Could Affect Cisco in China
In 2011, two separate lawsuits were filed against Cisco Systems alleging that its technology enabled the government of China to monitor, capture, and kill Chinese citizens for their views and beliefs. To what extent are these human rights violations attributable to technology provided by Cisco?
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.
Nigeria government launches attack against bloggers
The Nigerian government has just launched a “$5 million war” against bloggers and online news media such as Sahara Reporters [...] On the one hand this is good news as the Nigerian government wakes up to the power of citizens media and that we are watching and reproting on their every step. On the other hand this is very dangerous for bloggers in the country and those outside who may wish to return home whether for a short holiday, work or permanently.
Blogger detained in Nigeria
The US-based Nigerian blogger, Jonathan Elendu, who blogs at Elendu Reports, is being held without charge, since Saturday October 18th, by the State Security Service (SSS). Elendu was arrested upon arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, from the United States. He is now being investigated for “acts of sedition”.
