Stories about Digital Activism from January, 2017
A Legislative Proposal in Mexico Would Tie Political Parties’ Funding to Voter Turnout
"Cutting back where we should: public funding of parties so that it's linked to the vote and not the register."
Russian Political Prisoner Ildar Dadin Files Request to Move Prisons
"Are there really no colonies closer to Moscow?" Dadin's wife asked Russia's State Penitentiary Service.
The Struggle to End Female Genital Mutilation in Africa
"If I had previously known what I know today, I would never have circumcised a single woman. We have caused much suffering to many daughters and wives."
Russia Says No to Political Crowdfunding by Individuals
Russia's version of PayPal is shutting down the transfer of money to individuals collecting funds for political purposes—a decision that will undermine one presidential bid to challenge Putin in 2018.
Thousands of Women March to Reclaim Public Spaces Across India
Thousands of women across India rally, carrying signs reading, “I will go out,” in a campaign to reclaim their right to public spaces without fear of being attacked.
Moscow's Top Cancer Hospital Under Pressure Amidst Drive for Health Care Privatization
Critics worry Moscow's Oncology Hospital No. 62 will close as part of a broader movement towards the privatization of the Russian health care system.
With One More Vote, Trinidad and Tobago Could Ban Child Marriage
Child marriage will likely soon be illegal in Trinidad and Tobago, but the country's new legislation isn't likely to end the controversy surrounding the practice.
Netizen Report: Bahrain Orders News Outlet to Stop ‘Using Electronic Media Tools’
Israeli lawmakers give nod to ‘Facebook Bill’, Oman suspends free speech cases against Facebookers, and Kenyans fear an election day Internet shutdown.
Bhutan's Authorities Ban Film for ‘Misusing’ Religious Masks on Screen
"This narrowed minded decision is not just a ban against the film but a decision against the freedom of expression and creativity in Bhutan."
Oscar López Rivera, Puerto Rico's Longest-Serving Political Prisoner, Has Sentence Commuted by President Obama
His release will not be immediate, however.
#SaveArash: Jailed Iranian Activist Arash Sadeghi is Fighting for Human Rights — And His Life
Arash Sadeghi was on hunger strike from 23 October 2016 until January 3, 2017. He remains alive and conscious, according to close contacts of his family.
Website That Published ‘Yanukovych Blog’ Says It Was Fake
Little more than two weeks after first appearing on the news website Korrespondent, a blog purportedly written by former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has been deleted by the publication's editors.
The Best of Latin American Info-Activism in 2016 (Part II)
The organization SocialTIC reviews 2016's most inspirational info-activist projects in Latin America.
Ukraine Bans Russia’s One Independent TV Station
The Ukrainian government has voted to remove Russian independent TV station Dozhd from its list of approved foreign broadcasters, giving providers one month to remove the station from their networks.
Users Boycott Lebanon’s Mobile Phone Operators, Alfa and touch
In addition to the exorbitant mobile rates highlighted by this campaign, cell phone operators in Lebanon also engage in unethical practices.
Hong Kongers Snap Protest Selfies With Government’s Palace Museum Project ‘Exhibition’
After a cultural project proceeds without public consultation and the government spends even more money on a television series to promote it, Hong Kongers stage acts of protest through selfies.
All the President's Fishermen: Who's Standing Behind Vladimir Putin?
Why is Putin meeting with fishermen from Novgorod so much? Are they really fishermen?
Survey Finds Young Social Media Users in Hong Kong Tend to Distrust the Government
The survey also found that despite young people’s frequent online activity, most of them seldom participated in offline political events.
Outspoken Fashion Designer Arrested By Turkish Authorities
The arrest of a public figure like Şansal, who is unaffiliated with any political party, has other government critics fearing they could be next.
Revelation Blows a Hole in Trinidad & Tobago President’s Explanation of Controversial Housing Allowance
"What the president did was remain in housing that was beneath his standards and put the money in his pocket."
LibreRouter: Why Buy a Router When You Can Build Your Own?
'Quite a challenge for hackers of free networks that, in my opinion, are close to making an important step towards freedom and autonomy relating to technology and communication.'
