Stories about LANGUAGES from September, 2018
Nigerian Twitter has an impersonation problem — and the platform is failing to take action
The inaction of Twitter and the Nigerian government are worrisome particularly with Nigeria’s general elections coming up in 2019.
Protestors artfully demand the release of Shahidul Alam, Bangladesh's prisoner of conscience
"When a regime is governed by nothing but fear, it is often a sign that the regime might have lost its plot."
Japan’s vending machines strike again—this time with pizza and crepes
There is one vending machine for every 23 people in Japan and they still never fail to surprise.
‘Bien Chabacano’ blog preserves and promotes Asia's only Spanish-based creole language
"Unless more aggressive preservation efforts will be implemented, the day will come when Chabacano will only be spoken inside the home."
Meet Ujwol Dangol, founder of Kathmandu's first skate park
Despite skate's growing popularity around the world -- even set to debut in the summer Olympics in 2020 in Tokyo --, in Nepal, it is still somewhat associated with criminality.
As online spaces for sexual harassment proliferate, Hong Kong authorities struggle to keep up
"There is currently no law specifically to tackle upskirting, and from what we read from media reports about the crime, the punishment tends to be light"
Under Austria's right-wing government, ‘ethical’ principles for journalists could hijack media rights
If the current draft is adopted as it stands, it will provide for an extra layer of strict control that aims to silence the critique and dissent.
Cubans can now join public debates on new Constitution through digital platforms
"In a space like this no one has to ask to speak up, there is no schedule for debate."
Jamaica finds new appreciation for beloved cultural icon and language activist, ‘Miss Lou’
"Underneath her wily comedic style, she forced the society to face unpleasant truths. But it is the unapologetic championing of the Jamaican language that so endeared her to many Jamaicans."
What an attack on a far-right presidential candidate means for Brazil politics
The attack was only the latest episode of a political drama plagued by violence and impunity.
Three years on, Lebanon's ‘You Stink’ movement finds fresh reasons to protest
In 2015, "You Stink" mobilized thousands of people against in what turned out to be Lebanon's largest non-partisan street demonstrations since the end of Lebanese civil war in 1991.
Egyptian photojournalist Mahmoud Shawkan to be released soon after five years in prison
"He never should have been behind bars. He was arrested while doing his job as a photographer."
Jordanian health survey sparks online debate about family planning
Jordanians engage in online debates over results of a survey concerning maternal and child care.
Google caves in to Russian demands, censors videos promoting a protest rally
This latest scandal is unfolding as Google is in the middle of an existential crisis, with its employees revolting against what they see as embracing censorship by their company.
As China faces record-breaking flood levels, authorities arrest two women for spreading ‘rumors’ of health risks
"If they could react to the floods as effectively [as they do to the 'rumors'], that would be great."
Students illustrate injustice and human rights abuses in the Philippines through the arts
"The youth are aware of what's happening in society. On the images you can see extrajudicial killings, charter change, war, and the gap between the poor and rich in society."
After Facebook ban, Myanmar military accounts are moving to Russian social media site VKontakte
"...they are now spreading their hate freely on the site without any moderation."
Despite parents’ campaign, Bosnia denies schooling to children with learning disabilities
Around 150 children from the Canton of Sarajevo will be out of school in 2018/2019 as, once again, the government fails promises of inclusive education.
A lethal combination: How MENA governments use cybercrime laws and spyware to target activists
Gulf governments continue to deploy cybercrime laws as an arbitrary legal cover to target target human rights defenders.
Two women who dared to oppose Rwandan President Paul Kagame
"By extending his 23 years in power, Kagame is denying Rwandans an opportunity to experience the first-ever peaceful transition of power in their country."
Brazil grieves as its oldest treasures turn to ashes in National Museum fire
"This year, the government's total investment in the National Museum equals a quarter of what each Congressmen's budget to hire advisors."