Global Voices Advox

Articles by Global Voices Advox

DRCongo introduces new tax on mobile devices

The establishment of DRC’S Mobile Device Registry places financial burden on consumers and will negatively impact on freedom of expression and the right to access information.

Solomon Islands bans Facebook for ‘harmful content’

The Facebook ban or suspension is seen by critics and the opposition as an attempt to silence citizens who are exposing irregularities in government.

COVID-19: Border closures exploited to spread disinformation in North Macedonia

Amid the resurgence of coronavirus cases in still-shuttered North Macedonia, the tourist seasons getting underway in nearby countries have been used to manipulate public opinion with disinformation and to inflate toxic nationalism.

Timor-Leste plans to restore criminal defamation law amid concerns about its free speech impact

The Minister of Justice has proposed to restore criminal defamation in the country’s penal code that was removed when the government adopted a new Press Code in 2014.

Papua New Guinea’s police minister says two journalists who reported on COVID-19 funding ‘can’t be trusted’

Papua New Guinea’s police minister accused two journalists of misquoting the nation’s treasurer over a report about alleged misuse of government funds in response to COVID-19.

Government responses to COVID-19 adversely affect digital rights in the Balkans

Cases of arbitrary arrests, surveillance, phone tapping, privacy breaches and other digital rights violations have drastically increased in Central and Southeast Europe as governments started imposing emergency legislation to combat the COVID-19 outbreak.

How Chinese social media platforms control information on COVID-19

New research shows China’s web censors have blocked 516 coronavirus-related keywords.

Coronavirus death of whistleblower Li Wenliang sets Chinese social media on fire

The death of Dr. Li Wenliang, who was harassed by authorities for alerting friends about the coronavirus, sparked outrage on Chinese social media.