censorship

By RFE/RL | – – A leading journalism advocacy group says media freedom experienced a sharp decline around the world over the past year, citing increasing government restrictions in places like Turkey, Poland, Tajikistan, and Egypt. In its 2016 World Press Freedom Index released on April 20, Reporters Without Borders said that there had been […]

censorship

Turkey’s Pres. Erdogan demands Germany prosecute comedian over satirical poem

contributors

RT | (Video News Report) | – – “Turkey has made a formal request to the German government to prosecute a TV comedian over a crude poem about the Turkish President.” RT: “Erdogan demands Germany prosecute comedian over satirical poem”

Authoritarianism

Your Tax Dollars Enable Police Brutality Abroad: Egypt

contributors

By Chris Toensing | ( Otherwords.org) | – – Washington wants to loosen aid restrictions even as security forces crack down on innocent Egyptians. Ever since the Black Lives Matter movement exploded into the headlines, violence by American police officers has come under fire from activists and ordinary citizens alike. Less discussed, however, is how […]

censorship

‘A dark day for Turkish democracy’: violent clashes follow Zaman takeover

contributors

Euronews | (Video News Report) – – “The country’s “top-selling newspaper reopened on Saturday”following a state takeover and police raid. But the staff has experienced a shake up, with reports of editor-in-chief Abdulhamit Bilici and columnist Bulent Kenes being sacked.” Euronews: “‘A dark day for Turkish democracy’: violent clashes follow Zaman takeover”

censorship

US Ally Saudi Arabia Sentences Atheist Tweep to 10 Years & 2,000 Lashes

contributors

By Amira Al Hussaini | ( Global Voices ) | – – Saudi Arabia has sentenced a Twitter user to 10 years in prison in addition to 2,000 lashes for publishing 600 tweets “which spread atheism” on the micro-blogging site. According to Saudi daily Al Watan the Twitter user, whose name was not disclosed, was […]

censorship

Egypt Jails Novelist Ahmed Naji for 2 years for His ‘Sexually Explicit’ Novel

contributors

By Mohammed Hasan | ( Global Voices | – – A Cairo appeals court sentenced Egyptian novelist and journalist Ahmed Naji for two years in prison for publishing a chapter containing “sexually explicit” scenes from his novel The Guide of Using Life in a magazine. Egyptian novelist and journalist Ahmed Naji has been sentenced to […]

censorship

Iran: Poet of Gender Discrimination flees Lashes, 11.5 Year Sentence

contributors

By Golnaz Esfandiari | ( RFE/RL ) | – – To get her first book of poetry past the Iranian censor, Fatemeh Ekhtesari did what other Iranian writers often have to do: She used dots for words and sentences she thought would not get past the authorities. But Ekhtesari wasn't prepared for her voice to […]

censorship

End of Research in Egypt? The murder of my friend Giulio Regeni is an attack on academic freedom

contributors

By Neil Pyper | (the Conversation) | The body of Giulio Regeni was discovered in a ditch in Cairo on February 2, showing evidence of torture, and a slow and horrific death. Giulio was studying for a PhD at the University of Cambridge, and was carrying out research on the formation of independent trade unions […]

censorship

Triumph of Diplomacy: Iran, on cusp of Sanctions relief, releases 5 Iranian-American Detainees

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Iranian news agencies announced Saturday that the government had released four dual nationals (Iranian-Americans with both passports). A fifth release was later reported. The release is another major diplomatic victory for President Obama and Sec. of State John Kerry, and is good news indeed for the […]