Stories about Digital Activism from October, 2015
Netizen Report: US Tech Companies Grapple with EU Data Rules in a Post-Snowden World
Ukraine rolls out Russian-style Internet blacklist, Cuba releases artist-blogger "El Sexto" after 10 months in prison, and Bahrain jails Zainab Al-Khawaja for insulting the king.
Defending Gaza Using Social Media's Double-Edged Sword
Palestinian social media power user Omar Ghraieb chronicles his journey through the minefield of social media.
Social Media Help Trinidad and Tobago Police Arrest Child Abuser
Trinidad and Tobago used its social media powers for good this past week, when Internet users circulated video of a child abuse incident that led to two arrests.
Brazilian Activists Prosecuted for Giving Small Donations to Left-wing Parties
Hundreds of citizens are being criminally charged by the State Prosecutor's offices in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo for making micro-donations to crowdfunded campaigns of two grassroots political parties.
Free Alaa Campaign Takes Social Media by Storm on the First Anniversary of His Imprisonment
Alaa Abd El Fattah has spent a year in prison for his activism. He has four more to serve. Netizens are making noise on his first year anniversary calling for his freedom.
Ukraine Goes to the Polls In Local Elections, But Not Everyone Gets a Vote
The local elections are largely seen as a test of transparency and fairness for the post-Euromaidan Ukrainian political environment, but many Ukrainians aren't getting a chance to vote at all.
The US is No ‘Safe Harbor’ for Citizens’ Data
The European Court of Justice struck down the data transfer agreement between the EU and the US. Privacy advocates are smiling while US tech companies are unsure of what's next.
French Citizens Are Raising Their Voices for More Respect, Less Hate in Politics
"There is no longer anything to expect from those who govern us." Citizen movements want to take the lead in changing politics in France.
Angolan Rapper Breathes New Life Into ‘Freedom Now’ Movement, As Hunger Strike Threatens His
Activists fight for their lives in Angolan jails. Thanks to a new online portal that collects and publishes photos showing solidarity with political prisoners, the movement is stronger than ever.
Chinese Nationalist ‘Hawks’ Form Online Volunteer Army Against ‘Enemy Forces’
In addition to the Chinese Communist Youth League's online civilization volunteers, the right-wing nationalists are also self-organized, creating a online volunteer army to promote their ideas and silence critics.
This is How Ecuador Takes Action on the Cotopaxi Volcano Emergency
Ecuador President Correa has declared a state of emergency after an active volcano erupted south of Quito. This allows the state to use relief funds, but also permits media censorship.
A Musical Project in Mexico Dedicates Their Latest Work to ‘The 43 From #Ayotzinapa'… and It's Free to Download!
Santiaguero Collective, from Mexico, focuses on Creative Commons-licensed music reflecting the current social issues of the region and the country. Their latest work is dedicated to the missing Ayotzinapa students.
Ethiopia's Zone9 Bloggers Acquitted of Terror Charges
Many supporters on Twitter put words like "acquittal", "court" and "judiciary" in quotation marks to emphasize the degree to which the case exposed Ethiopia's failed judicial system.
Female Entrepreneurs Give a Major Boost to the Development of Francophone Africa
Increasingly, civil society—and especially women—are keen to partake in the boom by starting businesses and joining Africa's new entrepreneurial mobilisation.
Netizen Report: #TakeBacktheTech Campaign Stands Up to Online Misogyny (and Misinformation)
Trolls attack open Internet advocates, Egypt books a Facebook user for putting Mickey Mouse ears on President Sisi, and a Myanmar activist goes to trial for mocking the military wardrobe.
Tajiks Angry at Government Re-Formatting Their Quaint Capital
"Rohat teahouse is not only a beautiful national building, but a memory from more sincere, humane and affordable times."
The Murky Ethics of Publishing Data on Russian Servicemen ‘Bombing Syria’
Ukrainian "civic investigation" project Mirotvorets, previously preoccupied with exposing the Russian military presence in eastern Ukraine, has published personal data of Russian servicemen allegedly engaged in airstrikes in Syria.
Refugees Take Over Danish Daily Newspaper For a Day to Tell Their Stories
The Danish daily newspaper Information invited 12 refugees, some newly arrived, all professional journalists, to take over the entire 48 pages of the newspaper on Friday, October 9.
Belarus Catches Up to Russia With Its Own Pro-government ‘Troll Factory’
Leaked emails published on ElectBy suggest pro-government Belarusian Republican Youth Union directs its local chapters to leave negative comments on articles about recent opposition rallies.
Meet the Young Mexican Who's Taking On Transphobia, One Video at a Time
A year ago, a young Mexican started documenting on YouTube his sex reassignment process. His videos are a source of information and inspiration to the LGBTI community and beyond.
Stopped and Frisked by Facebook: ‘Real Name’ Policy Puts Speech Before Privacy
Facebook has a long way to go before they can fully appreciate the responsibility they carry when they decide to dictate what and who is "real" in the world.
