A confidential legal guide advising barristers on how to obtain suppression orders and manage criminal cases away from public scrutiny in Victoria, Australia, has been exposed. The revelation has ignited debate over transparency and the integrity of the state's justice system, particularly concerning the increasing use of such orders.
The application of legal mechanisms for suppressing criminal cases in Victoria, primarily suppression orders, has come under increased scrutiny, raising significant concerns about transparency and the integrity of the justice system. Debates continue regarding the balance between open justice and the protection of sensitive information.
Russia's media regulator, Roskomnadzor, has officially blocked Apple's FaceTime service across the Russian Federation, effective December 4, 2025. The regulator justified the move by alleging that the video-calling app was being used to organize and carry out terrorist activities, recruit perpetrators, and commit fraud against Russian citizens.
Coordinated bot attacks in November 2025 targeted Instagram profiles of Serbia's 'Students in Blockade' movement and North Macedonian independent media outlet Sloboden Pechat. The sophisticated attacks involved a massive influx of fake followers and bot comments, aiming to trigger platform shutdowns or 'shadow bans' and silence critical voices.
Bolivia's telecommunications authority, ATT, has confirmed a two-hour analog television blackout simulation for this Sunday, November 30, 2025. The test, affecting major cities like La Paz, Cochabamba, and Santa Cruz, aims to assess the country's readiness for the transition to Digital Terrestrial Television (TDT) and inform the public about the upcoming digital switchover.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping has pledged a 'resolute crackdown' on online misconduct to foster a 'clean and upright cyberspace,' state media reported. The move follows recent penalties against social media platforms and underscores China's ongoing efforts to strengthen internet governance and ensure national security.
A Turkish court on November 27, 2025, acquitted four journalists, including an AFP photographer, who were on trial for their coverage of mass demonstrations in Istanbul in March. The journalists, accused of violating laws on public gatherings, were cleared after the judge found no solid basis for the alleged offenses. The verdict was welcomed by press freedom advocates.
An international press freedom mission, comprising eight leading organizations, concluded its visit to Turkey, expressing grave concerns over the escalating political pressure, judicial harassment, and censorship targeting journalists. The mission highlighted a troubling pattern of punitive actions and called for urgent reforms to safeguard media freedom.
A new report, 'Enablers and Incentives of Election-Related Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference in North Macedonia,' reveals how a 'clientelist dynamic' between the state and media, coupled with systemic vulnerabilities, creates fertile ground for foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI). The study, launched by International IDEA and Metamorphosis Foundation, emphasizes the urgent need for reforms to safeguard democratic processes.
The European Commission's 2025 Progress Report on Serbia has adopted a significantly harsher tone, citing widespread corruption, a severe lack of accountability, and notable backsliding in freedom of expression. The report underscores a deepening polarization in Serbian society and a slowdown in crucial reforms, impacting the country's EU accession path.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan accused global digital platforms of promoting 'deviant trends' and attacking traditional family values at the TRT World Forum 2025 in Istanbul. His remarks align with ongoing government efforts to regulate online content and social media in Turkey.
Turkish authorities have appointed a government-controlled trustee to manage TELE1, a pro-opposition television network, following the detention of its editor-in-chief, Merdan Yanardağ, on espionage charges. The move, which also implicates jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, has drawn strong condemnation from opposition figures and press freedom advocates.
Cuba's escalating energy crisis, marked by frequent and lengthy power outages, is profoundly disrupting the work of independent journalists. These blackouts cut off internet access, impede reporting, and exacerbate existing state restrictions, impacting journalists' ability to inform the public.
Afghanistan faces new internet restrictions as the Taliban throttles speeds and blocks major social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat. This follows a nationwide 48-hour internet blackout in late September, ordered by Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada to curb 'immorality.' The measures have drawn condemnation from UN experts, who warn of severe impacts on human rights, education, and the economy.
A new NPR report, published October 10, 2025, revisits historical instances of French political puppet shows, such as 'Les Guignols De L'info', being pushed off air after satirizing figures in power. The report draws comparisons to similar events involving Russia's 'Kukly' and recent free speech debates in the United States, highlighting the enduring challenges to satirical expression.
Chinese authorities, led by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), have launched a two-month 'Clear and Bright' campaign to suppress online dissent and 'negative sentiments,' particularly those related to the country's economic slowdown. Influencers and economists discussing economic challenges have faced bans and content removal across major social media platforms.
Tajikistan is debating new legislation proposed by lawmaker Dilnoza Ahmadzoda to ban social media for children under 14 and require parental consent for ages 14-17. The move aims to protect minors from harmful online content, sparking debate among experts and the public regarding effectiveness and digital literacy.
Afghanistan's internet services were restored on October 3, 2025, following a 48-hour nationwide blackout imposed by the Taliban authorities. The disruption severely impacted commerce, communication, banking, and online education, with officials citing 'morality concerns' as a reason for the shutdown.
Internet services across Afghanistan were largely restored on October 1, 2025, concluding a 48-hour nationwide blackout imposed by Taliban authorities. The shutdown, which began on September 29, severely impacted commerce, communication, education, and humanitarian efforts, drawing international condemnation.
Afghanistan experienced a near-total internet and communications blackout on September 29, 2025, imposed by the Taliban. The move, described as 'morality measures' by authorities, has severely impacted connectivity, disrupting daily life, businesses, and education, particularly for women and girls.
