Stories about English from February, 2018
As the World Celebrates Bob Marley Day, Reggae is Changing and So Are Its Fans
"Consciousness and liberation are some of the messages we expect from Rasta, unfortunately, it [appears] Rasta has lost its value locally and as an agent of change in our society."
Searching for ‘indios’ in Ecuador and Venezuela: A Lesson in Language and Data
What happens when the data doesn’t support the story we first set out to tell?
Macau’s Cybersecurity Law: Less About Security, More About Surveillance (And Censorship)
Various critics say the proposed law will provide a legal framework for mass surveillance, much more so than improve network security.
‘According to the Digital Security Law, I am a Spy': Bangladeshi Journalists Defend Their Right to Investigate
"The Digital Security Act (2018) is an Eyewash. It is section 57 (ICT Act) for all intent and purposes. All the provisions have merely been redistributed among other sections."
Deki the Balkan Lynx Is All Grown Up, Photos Show, but His Species Remains in Trouble
There are only an estimated few dozen individual Balkan lynx left in the wild.
Kenyan TV Networks Censored for Airing Symbolic ‘Swearing In’ of Opposition Leader Raila Odinga
When Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga was symbolically—if not legally—sworn in as the "people's president" on January 30, three major broadcasting networks were unplugged by the Government of Kenya.
Nina Paley's ‘Seder-Masochism’ Film Explores Patriarchy in the Book of Exodus Through Animated Ancient Idols
"My interpretation of Exodus is that it's the establishment of complete patriarchy, the elimination of any remaining goddess-worship from older times."
A Judicial Coup? Maldives Court Orders Retrial and Immediate Release of Jailed Opposition Leaders
The Supreme Court of the Maldives ordered the immediate release of high-profile opposition leaders and ordered their retrials. This government has postponed the opening of this year's parliament session indefinitely.
It Is Not Only LGBT Jamaicans Who Welcome the Government's Ban of Controversial U.S. Preacher
"The Caribbean region has had a long history of oppressive teachings in the name of church and evangelism. We now need to facilitate healing and protection from further division [...]"
Top Secret Australian Government Cabinet Files Accidentally Sold Inside Filing Cabinets
"Both the Government and [federal police] want to hoover up all our data whenever they wish, without any proper oversight, but they can't even keep their own shit secure?"
Supporters of Bulgaria's Pirin National Park Protest for Its Protection With Music, Meditation, Running and Even Soup
Those rallying to protect the UNESCO World Heritage Site are employing artistic and creative ways to demand that Bulgaria's government roll back its decision allowing more construction in the park.
Building Resilience: Responding to Cyber Violence in Sri Lanka
Groundviews interviews five Sri Lankan women who have been targeted online, often through vicious commentary on their appearance. Photos were taken by Sri Lankan artist, photographer, and writer Deshan Tennekoon.
Gambian University Instructor Detained for Newspaper Interview, Then Released
"We voted for a change of SYSTEM. NOT JUST a President."
After a Top Model is Sent to a Mental Hospital, Vincentians Fear Politics and Patriarchy Are in Play
"If Yugge doesn’t have access to justice, what makes us think that any of us are protected?"
Malaysiakini News Site Will Appeal Defamation Case by Gold Mining Firm, Thanks to Crowdfunding by Readers
"This could drive media away from critically investigating and reporting issues of public interest that involved big corporations. This will further shrink the media freedom in the country."
Exclusion and Judgement Won't Solve Crime in Trinidad & Tobago
"Individualism, selfishness and greed are not traits exclusive to our poster boys for crime. For many of us, unless there is transgression into our immediate space, we [aren't concerned]."
Jamaicans Call for Tougher Anti-Crime Measures as Yet Another Police Commissioner Resigns
"All eyes will be on the Police Service Commission as it prepares Jamaica for an uncertain future."
Lebanon's Scapegoating of Refugees Did Not Start With Syrians, but With Palestinians
"The deplorable living conditions of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon after 1990 are a direct consequence of their use as scapegoats for the country's civil war."
Hong Kong Legislative Candidate's Disqualification Is Criticized as ‘Anti-Human Rights’
"...the Decision has used political opinion or affiliation as a ground to deprive her of the right to stand for election – which is unreasonable, unlawful and unconstitutional."