Stories about Digital Activism from March, 2017
Emirati Hardline Nationalists Target Human Rights Defenders on Twitter
It is no longer unusual for governments to maintain a robust online presence. They understand well the power of the internet in forming public opinion and manipulating political discourse.
Russian Web Censor Cracks Down Ahead of Next Anti-Corruption Protests
In the wake of the largest opposition protests since 2011-12, Russia's prosecutor general is cracking down on the organizers of demonstrations planned for April 2.
Sudden Death of Aqua-Blue-Eyed Model Shocks Maldives
Raudha Athif, the 20-year-old aqua-blue-eyed Maldivian model, was found hanging inside her dormitory room in north Bangladesh on Wednesday. On social media, Maldivians are mourning the loss of this woman.
The Internet Blackout in English-Speaking Cameroon Continues
How and why Cameroon has denied internet access to its English-speaking population.
Netizen Report: India Had 31 Internet Shutdowns in 2016. How Many Did Your Country Have?
Venezuelan independent media sites suffer online attacks, Japan may use mass surveillance to punish “preparations” for crime, and the UK calls for backdoors on encrypted messaging apps.
Global Inequality in Your Pocket: How Cheap Smartphones and Lax Policies Leave Us Vulnerable to Hacking
People who are poor, socially marginalized, and less tech-savvy bear the greatest risk of attacks via mobile phones.
Hong Kongers Say Beijing and Police ‘Incited’ the 2014 Pro-Democracy Movement, Not Protest Leaders
"I am one of the Occupy protesters and I was incited by the police’s decision to fire 87 rounds of tear gas [at demonstrators]."
RuPaul on the RuNet: ‘Drag Race’ Catches on in Russia
It’s dramatic, it’s campy, it’s gay, and it comes with Russian subtitles: meet the translators bringing RuPaul's Drag Race to the Russian-language Internet.
Young Iranian Faces Execution Over ‘Anti-Islamic’ Social Media Posts
"Sina's grandfather was a martyr of the eight-year war. Sina himself served two years. Sina has more rights to this country than most of these authorities."
Inspired by a Pioneering Nigerian Author, Yorùbá Language Advocate Takes to the Internet
"...I knew I had to propagate the Yorùbá heritage to the world and the cheapest and easiest way to do that is via the international network of computers."
What's Old Is New: Are You Listening? Podcast
We take you to Jamaica, Indonesia, Syria, Macedonia and Ethiopia for tales of remembering, revival and resurgence in this podcast.
Netizen Report: Why Did YouTube Censor Your Videos? You May Never Know.
A Brazilian blogger is forced to identify his sources, Iran cracks down on speech pre-election, and Tunisia's Truth and Dignity Commission hears testimony from bloggers persecuted under Ben Ali.
Is Jamaica Preventing Cybercrime or Cyber Activism? The Tambourine Army Goes to Court
"Making threats through social media is a criminal offence, but making accusations is not. In interpreting the new act, the courts must ensure [...] the right to freedom of expression.”
‘Zelyonka': the Anti-Putin Antiseptic
"Brilliant green" is becoming the unofficial color of Russia’s opposition movement.
Hong Kong's Hottest Fake News Headlines Target Refugees, Foreign Domestic Workers
Hong Kong's increase in fake news prompted media activists to create the Facebook page Kau Yim to verify important information and identify fake news.
Rio de Janeiro Is Caught Between a Yellow Fever Scare and Press Censorship
"What's left of the dictatorship? Everything except the dictatorship."
Angola Is on Its Way to Ban Abortion Entirely and Women Are Fighting Back
Angola could join the handful of countries in the world which currently ban abortion in all cases.
With Romance and Nostalgia, This Comic Is Taking on Corruption in Mexico
"Readers will find stories written in colloquial language that will inform them about the problem of corruption and of how the National Anticorruption System works."
Jamaican Activist Arrested Under Cybercrime Law Amid Her Campaign Against Sexual Violence
"If the Tambourine Army believe they have exhausted all avenues of ‘proper’ ways to advocate, then I say do what you must, but please don’t give up the fight."
Don’t Make Russia’s Anti-Kremlin Opposition Angry. You Wouldn’t Like It When It’s Angry.
What started out as a playful response to an attack on Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny quickly turned into an online protest.
‘Those Who Tortured Him [Should] Tell Us the Truth': Tunisian Commission Hears Net Freedom Testimonies From Dictatorship
The Truth and Dignity Commission is investigating rights abuses committed during the dictatorship era, including internet freedom violations.
