I've been writing up news reports of what is happening in Ukraine on here for a little over a month now. My main motivation is so that people whose access to this is severely restricted, might be able to access it easily.
I often also share with people a link to how to access these sources of information directly:
To Access the BBC News in Russia:
Download the Psiphon app.
Look for the dedicated BBC site on the Tor Browser
www.bbcnewsd73hkzno2ini43t4gblxvycyac5a ... 5uqd.onion
Note that this URL only works using the Tor Browser or the Onion Browser (on iPhones).
If access to the apps is restricted then send a blank email to get@psiphon3.com or gettor@torproject.org. An email will be sent in response with a direct and safe download link.
To Access Twitter’s onion service:
https://twitter3e4tixl4xyajtrzo62zg5vzt ... yoid.onion while using Tor Browser or a similar tool.
From Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty there is this advice on their website about bypassing blockages:
We encourage readers in Russia to subscribe to the Telegram channels of RFE/RL's Russian and Ukrainian services or this website's Telegram channel in English, as well as to our newsletter, The Week In Russia, for continued access to our reporting.
Here are some other ways to continue to access RFE/RL's reporting not only in English but also in Russian, Chechen, Tatar, Ukrainian, Belarusian, and other languages:
VPNs
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a tool that allows a person to mask their location and identity by linking up with a computer server in a different location. It also is an encrypted or secure tool, meaning once a user activates a VPN it’s very difficult (though not impossible) to intercept the data and information that goes back and forth.
VPNs have exploded in popularity around the world amid concerns about Internet security. The result is a plethora of options -- some sophisticated, some simple, some costly, some inexpensive or free -- that people can download and use. One thing to keep in mind: In some countries like Russia, VPNs are being increasingly outlawed as authorities try to crack down on the free flow of information.
Readers can use a VPN, such as nthLink or Psiphon, which are free solutions supported by the Open Technology Fund. VPNs will give readers access to blocked social media platforms. Here are some more detailed instructions in Russian that also include a few other free VPN alternatives.
TOR ONION SITES
The Onion Router is free and open-source software that allows people to use the Internet, send e-mail, or do just about anything online anonymously. The software directs Internet traffic through a so-called overlay network scattered around the world, making it difficult to trace Internet activity to the user.
Readers should consider downloading the Tor browser to anonymously and securely access RFE/RL's onion sites.
English website: https://www.rferlo2zxgv23tct66v45s5mecf ... 6ad.onion/
Current Time: https://www.currtv242aqatxhyqfyh3mtq2ub ... qd.onion/
RFE/RL's Russian Service: https://svobod7mjzb3hwxhgcnx7ui2ffd4p5z ... hyd.onion/
RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service: https://www.radiosvcr452z5oklfrl5tgh7p ... oid.onion
RFE/RL's Belarusian Service: https://svabodmmmsdce3rmzoor5cw3byj6rq ... ead.onion/
How to download the Tor browser:
On Windows, MacOS, Android, Linux: https://www.torproject.org/download/
On iOS: https://onionbrowser.com/
If the sites are blocked, you can send an empty e-mail to gettor@torproject.org and you will be sent a browser bundle via e-mail.
Where Tor is blocked, bridges help readers access the Tor network. Readers need to request a bridge via one of the following ways:
-- Sending "/bridges" to the dedicated Telegram channel @GetBridgesBot and then adding the bridges lines received manually via copy and paste in the Tor browser [Settings > Tor > Bridges > Provide a bridge]
-- Requesting a bridge via e-mail at bridges@torproject.org and then adding the bridges lines received manually via copy and paste in the Tor browser [Settings > Tor > Bridges > Provide a bridge]
-- Connecting through Snowflake from within the Tor browser [Settings > Tor > Bridges > Select a built-in bridge > Snowflake]
Most of my posts on here don't include my commentary or views, as I don't want my perspective to get in the way of people's access to factual information. However, I have had a few very intellectually stimulating discussions about sources of information for news as a result of the Freedom on Information posts. One question I've been asked a few times is whether I work for the BBC, or why I post lots from them. That's straightforward, I know there is specific total censorship of this news outlet, so I am more focused on circumventing that, and there is also an element of ease/ ability (it's in English which is my first language).
However, I do try to read my news much more widely than this. My language limitations mean that unless something is in English or French I am likely to need translation software to do this. So for those who have expressed interest, I routinely also obtain news from Al Jazeera, France 24, and Newspapers, The Independent, The Guardian, and a plethora of local newspapers available online. I also specifically review RT and China daily, as well as non-English language sites for particular stories, as I find this helps me be aware of slants of presentation and overt discrepancies of opinion.
In terms of the "weight" I give to information reviewed, there are two key questions for me:
Are the primary sources of information described clearly? - ie is the data verifiable by someone else?
What is the general reliability of this source of information? - ie are there multiple sources confirming the same information. is there a clear agenda which could bias their perspective? if so what is it? (I give more weight to agendas related to humanitarian concerns (like health care) is there a reason they could have an unintended agenda? e.g. publication bias, state sensorship, social sensitivity to topic, racial bias...
Regardless of your usual sources of information, I think they are not helpful questions to ask.
I often also share with people a link to how to access these sources of information directly:
To Access the BBC News in Russia:
Download the Psiphon app.
Look for the dedicated BBC site on the Tor Browser
www.bbcnewsd73hkzno2ini43t4gblxvycyac5a ... 5uqd.onion
Note that this URL only works using the Tor Browser or the Onion Browser (on iPhones).
If access to the apps is restricted then send a blank email to get@psiphon3.com or gettor@torproject.org. An email will be sent in response with a direct and safe download link.
To Access Twitter’s onion service:
https://twitter3e4tixl4xyajtrzo62zg5vzt ... yoid.onion while using Tor Browser or a similar tool.
From Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty there is this advice on their website about bypassing blockages:
We encourage readers in Russia to subscribe to the Telegram channels of RFE/RL's Russian and Ukrainian services or this website's Telegram channel in English, as well as to our newsletter, The Week In Russia, for continued access to our reporting.
Here are some other ways to continue to access RFE/RL's reporting not only in English but also in Russian, Chechen, Tatar, Ukrainian, Belarusian, and other languages:
VPNs
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a tool that allows a person to mask their location and identity by linking up with a computer server in a different location. It also is an encrypted or secure tool, meaning once a user activates a VPN it’s very difficult (though not impossible) to intercept the data and information that goes back and forth.
VPNs have exploded in popularity around the world amid concerns about Internet security. The result is a plethora of options -- some sophisticated, some simple, some costly, some inexpensive or free -- that people can download and use. One thing to keep in mind: In some countries like Russia, VPNs are being increasingly outlawed as authorities try to crack down on the free flow of information.
Readers can use a VPN, such as nthLink or Psiphon, which are free solutions supported by the Open Technology Fund. VPNs will give readers access to blocked social media platforms. Here are some more detailed instructions in Russian that also include a few other free VPN alternatives.
TOR ONION SITES
The Onion Router is free and open-source software that allows people to use the Internet, send e-mail, or do just about anything online anonymously. The software directs Internet traffic through a so-called overlay network scattered around the world, making it difficult to trace Internet activity to the user.
Readers should consider downloading the Tor browser to anonymously and securely access RFE/RL's onion sites.
English website: https://www.rferlo2zxgv23tct66v45s5mecf ... 6ad.onion/
Current Time: https://www.currtv242aqatxhyqfyh3mtq2ub ... qd.onion/
RFE/RL's Russian Service: https://svobod7mjzb3hwxhgcnx7ui2ffd4p5z ... hyd.onion/
RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service: https://www.radiosvcr452z5oklfrl5tgh7p ... oid.onion
RFE/RL's Belarusian Service: https://svabodmmmsdce3rmzoor5cw3byj6rq ... ead.onion/
How to download the Tor browser:
On Windows, MacOS, Android, Linux: https://www.torproject.org/download/
On iOS: https://onionbrowser.com/
If the sites are blocked, you can send an empty e-mail to gettor@torproject.org and you will be sent a browser bundle via e-mail.
Where Tor is blocked, bridges help readers access the Tor network. Readers need to request a bridge via one of the following ways:
-- Sending "/bridges" to the dedicated Telegram channel @GetBridgesBot and then adding the bridges lines received manually via copy and paste in the Tor browser [Settings > Tor > Bridges > Provide a bridge]
-- Requesting a bridge via e-mail at bridges@torproject.org and then adding the bridges lines received manually via copy and paste in the Tor browser [Settings > Tor > Bridges > Provide a bridge]
-- Connecting through Snowflake from within the Tor browser [Settings > Tor > Bridges > Select a built-in bridge > Snowflake]
Most of my posts on here don't include my commentary or views, as I don't want my perspective to get in the way of people's access to factual information. However, I have had a few very intellectually stimulating discussions about sources of information for news as a result of the Freedom on Information posts. One question I've been asked a few times is whether I work for the BBC, or why I post lots from them. That's straightforward, I know there is specific total censorship of this news outlet, so I am more focused on circumventing that, and there is also an element of ease/ ability (it's in English which is my first language).
However, I do try to read my news much more widely than this. My language limitations mean that unless something is in English or French I am likely to need translation software to do this. So for those who have expressed interest, I routinely also obtain news from Al Jazeera, France 24, and Newspapers, The Independent, The Guardian, and a plethora of local newspapers available online. I also specifically review RT and China daily, as well as non-English language sites for particular stories, as I find this helps me be aware of slants of presentation and overt discrepancies of opinion.
In terms of the "weight" I give to information reviewed, there are two key questions for me:
Are the primary sources of information described clearly? - ie is the data verifiable by someone else?
What is the general reliability of this source of information? - ie are there multiple sources confirming the same information. is there a clear agenda which could bias their perspective? if so what is it? (I give more weight to agendas related to humanitarian concerns (like health care) is there a reason they could have an unintended agenda? e.g. publication bias, state sensorship, social sensitivity to topic, racial bias...
Regardless of your usual sources of information, I think they are not helpful questions to ask.