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Striking the wrong notes
Music can be used to both trigger emotional responses and sway public opinion, which has led some governments to censor music on the basis of political, religious, or ethical disagreements.
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Changes on the Global Voices board
Akwe Amosu joins the Global Voices board as James Deane departs, with Mary Kay Magistad assuming the role of board chair.
The US government confirms diplomatic boycott of 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics
The US government announced a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, citing concern over “egregious human rights abuses and atrocities in Xinjiang.” More countries will likely follow.
Undertones: A deep-dive into Indian hyper-nationalism
Any critique of the government, the armed forces, or the Hindu religion and its socio-political project, known as Hindutva, is labeled “sedition,” and is treated as treason for attacking the sovereignty of India.
Death and destruction as former allies faced off in central Somalia
After one month of military buildup along the road that connects Guriel to the State Capital, Dhusamareb, the war broke out on October 23, killing over 100 people and injuring around 400 others.
Citizens start clean-up and recovery efforts after protests and riots in Solomon Islands
"We bring hardships and struggles upon ourselves, our family members, relatives and community members by involving in unlawful activities like riots, arson and looting."
Hong Kong authorities warn against boycott campaigns over low voter interest ahead of Legislative Elections
Hong Kong Legislative Council elections will take place on 19 December 2021. Law enforcement authorities have warned against election boycott campaigns.
Post-COP26, a Caribbean view on climate injustice and ‘1.5 to stay alive’
What has the Caribbean, on the frontline of the climate crisis, gained now that COP26 is over? We speak with Yves Renard of Panos Caribbean, who shares some fascinating insights.
Omicron prompts Japan to attempt “national isolation” once more
East Asia5 days agoFollowing the identification of a new strain of COVID-19, the Japanese government briefly attempted to completely seal the country's air and sea borders.
Belarus, transformed: political analysts track social and political change in the country
"The Belarusians have re-envisioned their national identity, giving birth to a new civil society and reformatting social processes that generate new patterns of behavior."
Indonesian police arrested students who raised banned ‘Papuan Independence Day’ flag
December 1, 2021, unofficially considered West Papua Independence Day, marked the 60th anniversary of when Papuans first flew the Morning Star flag in a bid for independence from the Dutch.
Popular, yet banned, songs in Cuba
Caribbean7 days ago"Listening to the song for the first time was a discovery for me at a time when food was scarce in my house."
Artist collective rekindles Argentine folklore from a queer perspective
The first subversive "chamamé" is a collaborative work between Argentina, Russia and Canada from the multicultural art collective Bagner, seeking to revive Argentine and Latin American folklore from a non-binary and young perspective.
Taiwan’s Golden Horse Film Awards highlights Hong Kong's censored productions
East Asia1 week agoBeijing's boycott of the Golden Horse Film Awards has generated a space for Hong Kong's independent, less-commercial productions in the international film market.
Protest in support of jailed opposition activist in Baku turns violent
Scores of activists gathered in the capital Baku to protest the unlawful imprisonment of political prisoner Saleh Rustamov, demanding his immediate release. Rustamov himself is on hunger strike since November 6.
Colonial prejudices and vaccine nationalism drive COVID-19 African travel bans
Sub-Saharan Africa1 week agoOmicron has spread to many countries, but most Western countries red-listed only southern African countries. This is reflective of the colonial stereotyping of Africans as savages from a diseased continent.
Armenia’s ex-president Serzh Sargsyan faces bribery charges
The ex-president charged with bribery, in what his lawyer describes as an an attempt to divert attention from the ongoing political and military crisis between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Georgian Communications Commission levies fines on TV channels for ‘political’ content
Central Asia & Caucasus1 week agoThe Georgian National Communications Commission has fined several TV stations for airing "political" content outside of an electoral campaign period. Some have criticised the fines as disproportionate towards opposition-leaning channels.
Armenia and Azerbaijan pledge progress as leaders meet in Sochi
Commenting on the meeting, Russian president Vladimir Putin said the leaders reached agreements on some of the key issues and that the meeting was overall positive.
Turkey's Medical professionals call for better working conditions
Middle East & North Africa1 week agoHealth care workers marched from Istanbul to Ankara to draw attention to the harsh working conditions medical workers faced during the pandemic, including mobbing, long shifts, and economic hardships.
Barbados becomes the world's newest republic
"The president of Barbados is now someone that any Barbadian child can aspire to be—and that's so powerful.”
Popular, yet banned, songs in Cuba
"Listening to the song for the first time was a discovery for me at a time when food was scarce in my house."
China’s Belt & Road Initiative: Deal or steal?
Our latest Civic Media Observatory investigation examines the ways China is advancing its interests as a global power and projecting its ambitions in other countries. Chinese diplomacy took a key turn in 2013 when it announced the strategy now known as the Belt and Road Initiative, which is widely considered the cornerstone of Chinese foreign policy. Our investigation looks at the intersection of Chinese technology transfer, soft power, communications technology buildout, and public information.
Russia blocks access to Tor browser website
The push for greater online censorship is part of the country's "sovereign internet" strategy which seeks to cement centralised state control over internet infrastructure and online spaces.
