An environmental activist faces a show trial for his Facebook posts, as part of Vietnam’s continuing attack on freedom of expression.
Social Media and Democracy articles on Democracy Chronicles
This Social Media and Democracy section highlights the ongoing saga of how this new type of communications technology impacts the progress of free and fair elections across the globe. Whether social media brings benefit or harm to democracy is an area of heavy debate. Be sure to also check out our Election Technology section and our articles on Technology Dissidents, the Internet and Voting or Journalism and Free Speech.
Attorney, Rights Defender Sentenced to 30 Years, Flogging in Iran
Iranian lawyer jailed for 30 years after setting up a channel Telegram, highlighting human rights abuses in the Islamic Republic.
Exile: Data Dump Shows More Russian Political Meddling
A prominent exiled Russian opposition figure says recently leaked documents show Russian meddling in U.S. affairs was more sophisticated.
Facebook Loophole Makes Political Ads Look Like Regular Content
The federal government has strict disclosure requirements for political ads on the media but the internet remains the wild west for political content.
New Arrests in Bangladesh Over Social Media Posts
Bangladesh authorities made a series of new arrests in their crackdown on the right to free speech, Human Rights Watch said today.
Vietnam Jails 2 Activists for ‘Spreading Propaganda’ on Facebook
A Vietnamese court has jailed two activists on charges of publishing damaging anti-state propaganda about the communist-run country.
Singapore ‘Fake News’ Law Draws Fire From Google, Facebook
An anti-fake news law passed by Singapore’s parliament could stunt innovation, a quality the city-state wants to expand its tech industry.
Cambodian Opposition Being Harassed in the Courts
Cambodian authorities should immediately cease harassing former opposition party members in the courts, Human Rights Watch said today.
Will Instagram Stories Sway 2020 Voters?
Twitter may have been the dominant platform mastered by then-candidate Donald Trump in 2016 but it likely will not be the way most voters learn about .
Podcast: Facebook Is Not A Democracy
Facebook bills itself as an organization designed to serve democracy, but Penn State’s Matt Jordan argues that the company’s motivations really much different. Hear more on the Democracy Works podcast.