Stories from July, 2017
Bangladesh's ICT Act Paved the Way for Hundreds Lawsuits Over Online Speech
There are currently 319 cases being heard in the courts under Bangladesh's notoriously broad ICT Act. Many of them involve lawsuits against journalists.
Censorship After Death: Chinese Netizens Quietly Mourn Nobel Laureate Liu Xiaobo
"After [Liu Xiaobo's] death, any mention of his name in English and Chinese is enough to get messages blocked.""After [Liu Xiaobo's] death, any mention of his name in English and Chinese is enough to get messages blocked."
Netizen Report: Colombian Court Demands Password to Journalist’s Facebook Account
Mobile internet goes down again in Kashmir, Turkish human rights advocates are detained with no charges, and a Philippine Senator pushes anti-fake news bill.
Ethiopian Musicians Charged With Terrorism for ‘Inciting’ Song Lyrics
In the face of government repression, Afan Oromo musicians have risen as a visible -- and audible -- source of inspiration for the opposition movement.
Myanmar’s Challenging Media Landscape, in Cartoons
Cartoons published by The Irrawaddy over the course of four years— from 2014 to 2017—reflecting the media milestones and hardships experienced in Myanmar.
Human Rights Defenders Are Still Behind Bars in Turkey
In a tweet on behalf of their staff, Amnesty International recalled their efforts to protect (Turkish President) Erdogan when he was arrested in 1998 during a stint as Istanbul's mayor.
Protesting Mistreatment in Prison, Emirati Activist Survives Six Weeks of Hunger Strike
Imran al-Radwan is serving a seven-year jail sentence for calling for reform in the UAE.
Netizen Report: Working in the Public Interest Can Get You Arrested
Global Voices Advocacy's Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
Philippine Senator Moves to Criminalize ‘Fake News’ — Could This Lead to Censorship?
"How does one distinguish between a false report based on an honest mistake and one maliciously spread through print, broadcasting and online?"
Turkish Authorities Detain Top Human Rights Defenders at Training Workshop
"[These] people who have dedicated their lives to human rights. A day will come when they will stand for the rights of those behind these vile news stories."
In China's Ideological Battle, ‘King of Glory’ Game is a Top Target
Chinese Communist Party media are concerned about the game's storyline, which they say "subverts Chinese history."
With Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Blocked, Venezuelans Share Tech Advice
"Never underestimate a blockade on #internetVE just because you know how to change your DNS. It is a violation to EVERYONE's rights."
Myanmar Military Cracks Down on Independent Media, Arrests Three Journalists
"It is absurd that security forces are using outdated laws to silence and punish journalists who have committed no crime," wrote the editor of The Irrawaddy.
