Stories about English from July, 2017
Bangladesh's ICT Act Paved the Way for Hundreds of Lawsuits Over Online Speech
There are currently 319 cases being heard in the courts under Bangladesh's notoriously broad ICT Act. Many of them involve lawsuits against journalists.
An Indian Woman's Eco-Friendly Venture Creates Paper Gifts That Grow Into Plants
"Just think about it, the packets that end up on a street corner or in a dump grow into a plant."
Censorship After Death: Chinese Netizens Quietly Mourn Nobel Laureate Liu Xiaobo
"After [Liu Xiaobo's] death, any mention of his name in English and Chinese is enough to get messages blocked."
Pop Band's Music Video Parodies Junta Rule in Thailand
The video, which is still available on YouTube, immediately went viral.
Jamaican Dancehall Star's Instagram ‘Diss’ of Cultural Icon Sparks War of Words
"I feel like this discussion sparked by Ishawna's comment will morph into what aspects of culture/history we should/shouldn't celebrate."
15 Movies That Speak to the Complex Relationship Between Taiwan and Japan
Only since the late 1980s have filmmakers begun to examine the two countries' history, from colonial rule and World War II to present day.
Ethiopian Musicians Charged With Terrorism for ‘Inciting’ Song Lyrics
In the face of government repression, Afan Oromo musicians have risen as a visible -- and audible -- source of inspiration for the opposition movement.
After Media Revelations, Jamaicans Ask Why Their Finance Minister Cannot Manage His Phone Bill
"@AudleyShaw not a good recommendation for your Ministerial position if you cannot manage the economics of a phone."
Papua New Guinea Court Issues Gag Order Against Blogger Critical of Electoral Commissioner
"Dear all, Since I have been restrained by the courts I will be tweeting this image daily until such time I am allowed to tweet freely."
In the Ruins of Eastern Abkhazia's ‘Ghost Towns’, Life Goes On
"I don’t know what will happen, but we will plant zucchini."
Myanmar’s Challenging Media Landscape, in Cartoons
Cartoons published by The Irrawaddy over the course of four years— from 2014 to 2017—reflecting the media milestones and hardships experienced in Myanmar.
As Ethnic Hate Speech Rises, Nigerian Writers Push Back
The confusion has been exacerbated by the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari who has been on medical leave in London since May, leaving behind a divided nation.
A Hong Kong Businessman Sparks Backlash After Blaming Muslims for His Restaurant's Failure in Malaysia
"How come [a nearby dim sum restaurant] has not been suffered from a lack of customers because of Muslim pork-less food culture?" one citizen journalist questioned.
Protesting Mistreatment in Prison, Emirati Activist Survives Six Weeks of Hunger Strike
Imran al-Radwan is serving a seven-year jail sentence for calling for reform in the UAE.
CNN Show ‘Parts Unknown’ Holds Up a Mirror to Trinidad & Tobago’s Social Divisions
"Sometimes it takes an outsider to remind us that we have more in common than we think."
A Syrian Artist Reimagines the World's Powerful Leaders as Vulnerable Refugees
"Those leaders were partly responsible for the displacement of Syrians. Maybe they will feel what it feels like to be vulnerable."
Air India Stops Serving Meat on Domestic Flights. Is It a Cost-Saving Measure or a Political Move?
"Present government has discontinued non-veg food in Air India economy class....no justification given...another act of moral policing..."
How Are Boys and Girls Supposed to Sit, Walk, and Dance? An Experiment in India's Gujarat
Pink versus blue, pretty versus brave: the childhood landscape is mined with pernicious gender stereotypes that dictate how we behave as adults.
Nine Responses From the International Community to China’s Treatment of Nobel-Winning Dissident Liu Xiaobo
"They must be able to meet and receive visits from whomever they desire, and be able to freely communicate with the outside world."
The More India's Ruling Party Pushes the Hindi Language, the More Indians Oppose It
"We are not saying no to Hindi...[the] question should be why 'only' Hindi."
Turkish Opposition Looks to Build Momentum as Their Justice March Reaches Istanbul
“We need to achieve what we couldn't do following Gezi and 16 April. We need to show the decisiveness that would bring the energy of the social opposition to politics.”