China's authoritarian tipping point
Protests have erupted across China in response to the government's strict zero-COVID policies, shrinking spaces for free speech and expression, and increasing authoritarianism. Follow our special coverage here.
A World Cup of shame
The 2022 FIFA World Cup has been marked by allegations of human rights abuses, anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment, deadly and inhumane working conditions, and forced labor, sparking global criticism and boycotts.
Civic Media Observatory
The Civic Media Observatory is a method to investigate and decode how people understand information and create knowledge in complex and seemingly chaotic media ecosystems.
Unfreedom Monitor
The Unfreedom Monitor is a project to analyze, document, and report on the growing use of digital communications technology to advance authoritarian governance around the world.
Latest stories
China faces a rough road to ending its zero-COVID policies
Under the zero-COVID policy, public resources have been spent on PCR tests, building quarantine facilities, propaganda, and controlling people's movement rather than vaccinations or improving medical infrastructures.
How the Venezuelan government uses social media to cover up its biggest corruption case
Alex Saab’s case has become one of the most relevant incidents to understand Maduro’s propaganda machine in Venezuela, and the effect it has on social and political events.
These culturally conscious African fashion designers are leading another sportswear revolution
“I decided to create something that was tailored for African bodies with a print that represented my tribe,” said Jabulile Gwala, founder of Siko Republik
State capture in South Africa by the Gupta family: A lesson on political influence
Growing inequality and uncapped wealth have created a mega-wealthy segment of society. With this money comes influence that may pose a danger to the integrity of domestic policy and sovereignty.
Freedom of expression in Tanzania is on a downward spiral
In Tanzania, freedom of expression is a constitutional right of every citizen that has however been undermined by the continuous passing and enacting of a series of repressive regulations over the years.
New report: Framing China's Belt and Road Initiative
Explore the effectiveness and impact of China's attempts to promote its Belt and Road Initiative through narratives, and read the full report produced by our Civic Media Observatory.
Global Voices is on Mastodon (and back on Tumblr)!
In light of recent events, we've been working to make sure you can find our international stories wherever you are!
Popular TikToker Nekoglai tells of torture by Russian police
The TikToker's example shows that videos with some political and oppositional content may be as popular among young audience as entertainment ones.
Activists strive for data protection in Indonesia
"... there is a long way to go to achieve stronger data protection in Indonesia."
Twitter account “No Context Russia” is sad yet hilarious
A Twitter account shows images from Russia without context, portraying the country in sad and ironic tones.
It's the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, but in Trinidad & Tobago, ‘barriers remain in place’
'Hardly a day goes by that we are not reminded of our disadvantaged position in society [...] from access to early intervention, assessments and therapies, to education and everything else.'
Khodanoor Lajaei: Icon for a revolution
Khondoor Lajaei rose to fame because of the way he contrasted the happiness and freedom experienced by ordinary Iranians with the grief that many Iranians associate with the government.
Nigerian student arrested after calling First Lady ‘fat from corruption’ on Twitter
Last year, the Nigerian government suspended Twitter for seven months, lifting the embargo in January after Twitter agreed to the conditions made by the government, which further clamps down on the digital rights of Nigerian citizens.
China’s foreign interference narrative fails to successfully demonize the nationwide anti-zero COVID protests
"...if there are foreign forces, they will not incite people to protest...they should wish the lockdown last for a decade until the country and its people become so poor..."
‘In Ecuador, disinformation has spread like a fungus,’ says Ecuadorian investigative journalist
"Most politicians resort to the tactic of hiring an advertising agency to campaign, but the troll center is part of the deal."
Nepali migrant workers who built the World Cup stadiums are completely forgotten
Rights-based organizations and international media are raising their voices for forgotten migrant workers of Qatar but the Nepali media fell short in covering the human cost of the Football World Cup.
Istanbul's Uyghur community protest outside the Chinese Consulate despite the cost of reprisals
Today's demonstration comes at a great risk amid fears of retribution for the members of the Uyghur community living in Turkey.
Soaring food prices and funding shortfalls add to growing food insecurity in Uganda’s refugee settlements
"The agency is aware that conflicts may arise when refugees don’t get enough to eat. Food shortages can cause tension and anxiety, which can threaten peaceful coexistence between refugees and host communities" said Frank Walusimbi, the associate communications officer at UNHCR.
Cry me a river: Trinidad faces more serious flooding and anguish
Steady rains have caused rivers across the island to reach their limit and overflow, bringing major flooding to plains and other low-lying areas.
President Erdoğan is on a mission to mend ties but at what cost?
Whether its Ankara's ties with Washington DC and the EU, or Turkey's role in Ukraine war, President Erdoğan is seemingly turning "these separate developments into his favor."
Mexican collective pirating books to make culture accessible is blocked
Since 2019, the Pirateca.com website has provided open access to more than 279 Spanish titles, under the slogan “Books are not stolen, they're expropriated!”
