Stories about Citizen Media from March, 2020
COVID-19 pandemic adversely affects digital rights in the Balkans
Digital rights NGOs warn about increase of cases of violation of privacy of people under quarantine, spread of disinformation and internet scams in Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
After being kidnapped and threatened, Mozambican YouTuber has his channel suspended
In early February, he was kidnapped for 24 hours, before he was freed by the police. A self-proclaimed prophet named Joe Williams is suspected of ordering the kidnapping.
Forty years on, a locked-down El Salvador remembers the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero online
The archbishop was shot by a death squad at the start of El Salvador's civil war, becoming an iconic figure in the struggle against human rights violations in Latin America.
Digital activism, paintings, and a national strike—how Mexican women protest gender-based violence
The staggering levels of violence against women are front and center in Mexico's feminist movements.
Maldives: Can a country so dependent on tourism afford a lockdown?
The President of Maldives banned all tourist arrivals in the country from March 27, 2020. This will impact the country's economy due to a serious shortfall in foreign currency earnings.
Across Africa, COVID-19 heightens tension between faith and science
While many African governments have taken stringent measures to slow the spread of COVID-19, not all leaders agree with banning faith-based gatherings.
The Mexican engraver reviving the magical imagery of Chiapas
Mexico has a prolific tradition of printmaking, its defining visual characteristics having endured from pre-Hispanic times into modernity
Quarantine woes in Bangladesh amid coronavirus fears
The government has ordered Bangladeshis who are returning from affected COVID-19 countries to home-quarantine. But a lack of monitoring has led to concerns that the disease may spread rapidly.
Nigeria enforces travel bans amid sloppy management of COVID-19 cases
Nigerian netizens are calling for a travel ban for travelers from high COVID-19 transmission areas. This will strengthen the national response to the pandemic.
Tanzania tackles COVID-19 with strict measures to slow the spread
In the wake of six confirmed COVID-19 cases in Tanzania, the government has taken strict measures to slow the spread. But messaging and communication around preventative measures remains a challenge.
Pakistan claims COVID-19 under control amidst rising figures
People on social media are wondering if measures taken by the government are adequate and whether there is a proper infrastructure to stop the spread of Covid-19 in Pakistan.
Chilean women proclaim: ‘We are no longer afraid’
"We are tired of the abuse, of the constant violence. Everything we do is questioned, we encountered obstacles over and over again just to live a normal life. It is over, we are no longer afraid."
Japan resurrects ‘Amabie’, an ancient supernatural creature, to fight COVID-19
"Was there a monster that was loved so quickly in such a short time?"
New COVID-19 disaster area order places a Jamaican community under quarantine, but ‘not under curfew’
As Jamaica confirms eight cases of COVID-19, the government has activated legislation which expands the authorities' powers in an effort to contain the outbreak.
Women's march in Istanbul marked by police violence and detentions on March 8
On March 8, International Women’s Day, feminist night marches took place in several cities across Turkey. While the event was held for the 17th time in İstanbul, it ended with violence and detentions
Does Singapore’s ‘top-down approach’ to handling COVID-19 deserve all the praise it's been getting?
"Singapore's coronavirus strategy cannot be just a top-down approach that does not account for the feelings of people on the ground."
Life in the time of COVID-19: Jamaicans adjust their lifestyles as country records second case
After two cases of COVID-19 are confirmed in Jamaica, anxiety is high and Jamaicans are limiting their social contact.
Women successfully stage ‘Aurat March’ in Pakistan despite threats
On International Women's Day, thousands of women, transgender people, children and men participated in the annual Aurat March in different Pakistani cities to highlight the plight of women.
Media coverage of Delhi riots muzzled in India
On March 6, the Indian government banned two Malayalam news channels for 48 hours for their coverage of the violence in North East Delhi; the decision was reversed the following day.
Sexism and misogyny in Pakistan TV talk shows
A recent ugly spat on a NEO TV Channel talk show exposes the prevailing misbehaviour, sexism, misogyny and abusive language targeting women panellists and anchors in Pakistan media.
From Sweden to Mexico, indigenous people explain why their languages are disappearing
The Nordic regions of Europe are thousands of kilometres away from Mexico or Peru, but both witness the destruction of their native peoples' identities