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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.
Bing Censors Image Search for ‘Tank Man’ Worldwide
China restricts information about the tank man and Tiananmen Square more generally. In Hong Kong, it outlawed this year’s commemoration.
Facebook To End Special Treatment For Politicians
Facebook intends to end a content moderation policy that exempts politicians from most of the restrictions that apply to other users.
Online Calls for Vietnam Democracy Increasingly Punished
Unlike China, communist Vietnam has not felt compelled to block US social media platforms from its domestic internet. This is changing.
Experts: Social Media Algorithms Threaten Democracy
Tuesday’s Senate hearing pitted social media giants against researchers who argued social media algorithms threaten democracy.
Pakistan Social Media Shutdown Amid Protest Crackdown
Fears a radical group might use social media to perpetrate violent protests prompted the shutdown of social media platforms.
‘Milk Tea Alliance’ Brews Democracy Online Across Asia
From Myanmar to Hong Kong, youth seeking democracy are organizing themselves online around milk tea, a traditional regional beverage.
Dictatorships Play Whack-A-Mole With African Digital Rights
African dictatorships are playing whack-a-mole with African digital rights, inventing restrictive policies to suppress freedom of speech.
Bangladeshi Children Arrested for Political Facebook Posts
Bangladesh authorities have arrested hundreds, including children, for using social media to express displeasure with government.
Would Canadian Citizenship Free Saudi Blogger Raif Badawi?
If dissident Saudi blogger Raif Badawi is granted Canadian citizenship it would offer him new legal rights in his home country.