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Unfreedom Monitor Report: India
Advox research into digital authoritarianism in India is now in a report. Read an excerpt and download the full pdf.
A voice from the islands: Grenada’s environment minister appointed UN climate change chief
Commentators made it clear that Simon Stiell would have plenty of work on his plate, suggesting that there are specific, daunting and complex issues to be addressed.
In Brazil and India we are seeing an increase in tensions between platforms and states
Research from the Unfreedom Monitor uncovers a pattern in the way that social media and tech platforms engage with states that practise digital authoritarianism.
Uzbekistan’s cancelled Silk Road Literary Festival reveals leftover Karimov mindset
The Uzbek Union of Writers' grievances against the Silk Road Festival Committee speak to the institution's continuing need to exercise a monopoly on the definition of Uzbek literature.
Rising sea levels in Bangladesh are driving women to take the pill to stop menstruating
Many girls and women in the coastal areas of Bangladesh who don't have access to fresh water are taking birth control pills, often stolen from married women to stop their periods.
Taiwan withdraws from hosting WorldPride 2025 over naming controversy
The WorldPride 2025 Taiwan Preparation Committee withdrew from hosting the global LGBTQ+ event as the organizer, InterPride, insisted on changing the title of the event from WorldPride Taiwan 2025” to “WorldPride Kaohsiung 2025."
Man overboard! Carnival celebrations turn sour for Grenadian athletic hero, sparking controversy
Was world javelin champion Anderson Peters pushed, as most media sources report, or did the allegedly inebriated athlete lose his balance and fall overboard?
Is modern Macedonian music popular in neighboring Serbia?
Though media in Serbia prefer traditional Macedonian folk music to modern takes, one Macedonian DJ based in Novi Sad is working on introducing modern Macedonian tunes to a Serbian audience.
Activists and artists in Thailand commemorate Myanmar's 8888 uprising
"They claim our silence to kill others, so I’m just not going to let them use my silence as an excuse to kill other people."
Marcos-Duterte critic arrested for cyber libel in the Philippines
"What a wonderful display of unity in defense of our common values! With solidarity like this, how can we possibly lose?"
Macau: The world’s gambling hub tumbles over China’s anti-corruption campaign and zero-COVID policy
China has tightened supervision over Macau's gaming sector to curb cash outflow and money laundering.
Why are Nigerians so quick to dismiss the mental health of adolescents?
Nigerian adults can be dismissive of the mental health of young people. Sadly, this only aggravates the situation, leading to severe consequences for the children.
Prague Pride parade is back after a two-year pandemic hiatus: A photo essay
Considered one of the largest in Central Europe, Prague Pride’s parade returned to the streets on August 13 after a two-year hiatus, drawing an estimated 60,000 people.
Missing, presumed dead: A sensational murder case in Jamaica highlights the plight of many vulnerable Caribbean women
The high-profile case of Jamaican social media influencer Donna-Lee Donaldson is just one of many tragic stories of femicide across the region.
Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago celebrate 60 years of independence
Both Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago are celebrating their diamond jubilee of independence from Britain, but some netizens wonder about their countries' priorities.
Georgia's ruling party is committed to silencing independent media
The ruling Georgian Dream party said the ad was negatively representing the party, affecting its electoral future.
Disruptive technologies, demagogic governance: Data (un)democracy in India during COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic not only resulted in a great loss of life in India, but also provided an impetus for authoritarian control.
Georgia and Russia spar with online bullying, historical grievances, and visa regulations
Since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the ruling Georgian Dream has been cautious, as if walking on a mine field while anti-Russia sentiments among public are growing.
Trinidad & Tobago's Carnival Museum has a unique and rare opportunity
If this museum is to be "as vibrant, evocative, interactive and creative as the festival itself," it should be a fluid space that involves the people — the foundation of Carnival.
Unfreedom Monitor Report: Turkey
Advox research into digital authoritarianism in Turkey is now in a report. Read an excerpt and download the full pdf.
Is China attempting to normalize military drills around Taiwan?
China may attempt to normalize its military drills in the Taiwan Strait. What does this mean for the future of Taiwan and regional relations?