Stories about Digital Activism from September, 2016
Netizen Report: Swiss Citizens Say Yes to Surveillance
Swiss activists lose referendum on privacy, Jordanian authorities ban media coverage of writer’s assassination, and Mexico is spending even more money on surveillance tools than was previously known.
Khodorkovsky Announces ‘Open Media’ Project To Support Investigative Journalism Startups
Mikhail Khodorkovsky's "Open Media" project will provide as much as 30 million rubles in support to investigative journalism startups.
The Week That Was at Global Voices Podcast: We, the People
This week, we speak to our contributors Elizabeth Rivera, Giovanna Salazar and Juan Tadeo about popular discontent with politics in Mexico.
Fidencio Sanchez’s Inspiring Story Highlights the Best of Social Media—and the Plight of Latino Immigrants
"At a time when Donald Trump is calling Mexican immigrants drug dealers and rapists, the image of this hard-working Mexican immigrant has become a defiant symbol that challenges hateful stereotypes."
Jordanian Government Ignores Public Backlash, Signs Gas Deal With Israel
Despite significant opposition, Jordan signs controversial gas deal with Israel. Protests planned for this Friday could determine the agreement's future.
Macedonian ‘Colorful Revolution’ Rallies to Defend Special Prosecutor’s Office
Activists of the “Colorful Revolution” movement have announced a new demonstration planned to take plan in front of the parliament building in Skopje in support of the Special Prosecutor's Office.
Polish Lawmakers Move Forward With a New Abortion Ban That Critics Say Will Be ‘Hell for Women’
Poland's “Black Protest” movement picks up steam, after lawmakers vote to proceed with legislation that will criminalize abortions in nearly all circumstances, threatening women and doctors with prison.
Poles Dress in Black to Protest Legislation That Would Mean a Near Total Ban on Abortions
Thousands of Poles share photos of themselves dressed in black to protest against legislation that would criminalize almost all kinds of abortion and toughen the country's already severe anti-abortion laws.
The Role of Hashtags in a Country Searching for Peace
"The fact that the war in Colombia also takes place on social media is an undeniable truth," writes Renata Cabrales.
The UAE Has Avoided an ‘Arab Spring’ by Systematically Repressing Critical Speech
Wary of an Arab-Spring like uprising within its borders, the UAE government launched an unprecedented crackdown on critics and activists.
It's September, and That Means It's Time for Software Freedom Day
Do you use free and open source software?
Mexican Protesters Have a Message for the President: ‘Resign Now’
With social discontent reaching a boiling point in Mexico, the country's social media users started sharing the hashtag #RenunciaAhora (Resign Now) to mobilize people for a massive march.
Skopje Authorities Bulldoze Roma Families’ Homes, Then Ignore Their Plight
"Without electricity, water supply or sewage, with high risk from infectious diseases due to the floods and lack of minimal hygiene conditions, they dread the coming of winter."
Netizen Report: In Cuba, Text Messages With Controversial Content Are Disappearing
Journalist repression is on the rise in Cuba, Saudi bans LINE, and Russian authorities jail gamer for offending religious people, Pokemon-style.
Ghanaian President Vows Not to Shut Down Social Media During Elections
Ghanaian president John Mahama has assured the nation that social media will not be shut down during elections due to take place on December 7.
Ukrainian Ministry of Information Policy Thanks Facebook Bots for Their Hard Work
The Facebook bot war between Ukraine and Russia rages on. Will the Russian government find a way to crack down on spammers?
Charlatans and Mainstream Media Try to Profit From Earthquake Panic in Skopje
Alternative medicine TV show host "Ivan the Healer" published a post and backdated it to make it seem that he had predicted the series of earthquakes that shook the city.
Algerian Court Upholds Conviction of Activist Jailed for Insulting Islam on Facebook
Despite having his sentenced decreased by two years, Bouhafs will still remain in jail for expressing his views.
Detention of News Site Director Raises Concerns for Venezuela's Freedom of Speech
Lawyer and journalist Braulio Jatar was arrested and accused of money laundering, but netizens and journalists believe his reporting on protests against president Nicolas Maduro was the real reason.
Bahraini Court Refuses to Release Rights Activist Nabeel Rajab, Delays Verdict
Rajab faces up to 15 years in jail for tweeting about the Saudi-led war in Yemen and denouncing incidents of torture in a Bahraini prison.
Jailed Iranian Nuclear Scientist Tweets About His New Conditional Freedom
After five years of imprisonment, Twitter -- the online platform that led his freedom campaign -- was how nuclear scientist Omid Kokabee first communicated with the world after his release.
