A satirical Arabic website, much like The Onion, poked fun at a royal wedding in Jordan in June. Not long after, it was blocked. “We’re totally backsliding,” said one cartoonist in the kingdom.
Tag: Censorship
China’s Economic Outlook: Pep Talks Up Top, Gloom on the Ground
Beijing has characterized concerns about the economic slowdown as being inflated by Western critics. Widespread anxiety and pessimism paint a different picture.
‘Barbie’ Debuts in Saudi Arabia, Sparking Delight, and Anger
Denounced in some Middle Eastern countries for undermining traditional gender norms, the hit movie is finding an audience in Saudi Arabia, illustrating the region’s shifting political landscape.
The Art of Telling Forbidden Stories in China
Many writers are looking for ways to capture the everyday realities that the government keeps hidden — sometimes at their own peril.
Russia’s Online Censorship Has Surged During Ukraine War
A report from Citizen Lab laid out how much online censorship has increased on one of Russia’s biggest social media sites.
How ‘Barbie’ and Blackpink Entered South China Sea Map Spat
Vietnam banned the film over its apparent use of a Chinese map showing disputed territory. Blackpink concerts may be next. Here’s what the fuss is about.
Russia Seeds New Surveillance Tech to Squash Ukraine War Dissent
Russia is incubating a cottage industry of new digital surveillance tools to suppress domestic opposition to the war in Ukraine. The tech may also be sold overseas.
Google News Blocked in Russia as Feud With Prigozhin Intensifies
At least five telecommunications companies have blocked the service, which aggregates news from various sources, according to an analysis from NetBlocks, an internet observatory.
Tunisians Mourn a Hard-Fought Freedom Rapidly Slipping Away
When reflecting on their Arab Spring revolution, Tunisians often say that freedom of expression was the only concrete achievement. As the country slides back toward autocracy, that, too, is being quickly eroded.
Iran Puts 2 Women Journalists on Trial for What They Wrote
Two female journalists, Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi, covered some of the first reports of the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody, which ignited nationwide protests against Iran’s clerical rulers.