Stories about Citizen Media from September, 2021
COVID Couture: Trinidadian creative Sonja Dumas responds to the pandemic with a feel-good dress that has a deeper meaning
"I made [the dress] to cheer up myself at a depressing and challenging moment of our human history."
Qatar urged to release 21 detainees held for protesting ‘discriminatory’ election laws
The laws, ratified by the Qatari ruler to regulate the upcoming vote, bars citizens who are classified as "naturalized" rather than "native" from running in elections, voting, or both.
The aftermath of #EndSARS: The Twitter ban and what it means for young Nigerians
The nationwide #EndSARS movement against police brutality which took the country by storm in October 2020 demonstrated the power of digital media when used as a tool for advocacy.
South Asia mourns Indian feminist icon Kamla Bhasin
Kamla Bhasin, a pioneer of the women’s rights movement in South Asia, died on September 25, 2021 in New Delhi, India. Activists remembered her on social media and mourned her death.
Why did Twitter support Nigeria’s #EndSARS and not Ghana’s #FixTheCountry?
Although the reason is unclear, Twitter’s actions suggest an unwillingness to interfere in Ghana's politics as it did in Nigeria, even if it means not defending citizens digital rights.
A veteran Hong Kong Wikipedia editor: “Wikipedia's policies are vulnerable to authoritarian abuse”
'Lock up netizens who are skeptical of the Chinese establishment, let the regime's loyal cheerleaders pass through the net... and voila you have an army of self-motivated propagandists'.
Three Melbourne teenagers inspire public with their COVID-19 data tracking website
"[We] had our first dose of vaccine. Thought this would be a good time to share who we really are. Thrilled that we will finally be included in our data!"
‘New schemes of deception': Russian election observers report on the voting
"Of course, all elections are held with violations, but these were held with record numbers of violations!"
Quirky Japanese promo campaign launches new brand of rice, just in time for harvest season
The official Japan-wide launch of a new rice brand includes a quirky musical commercial, a social media photo contest, and feelings of anticipation for "new rice."
Syrian migrants fall victims to “human trafficking mafia” in Libyan prisons
'The EU is responsible for Libya’s barbarism directly, or by turning a blind eye to its actions, as armed groups profiting from migrants are funded, and complicity in these crimes go unpunished.'
Behind Chinese Wikipedia user ban: threats, verbal attacks and election canvassing
The Foundation explained that the radical steps were taken as "some users have been physically harmed" as a result of the 'exposure of personal information to users in mainland China.'
A sweeping spate of murders rivals COVID-19's ‘third wave’ in Jamaica
A sudden surge in murders—24 in one week, and 18 over a 48-hour period—has Jamaicans feeling that crime has surpassed COVID-19 as the country's top problem.
Former Surinamese president Dési Bouterse convicted of murder for the second time—but will he go to prison?
If Bouterse is not imprisoned after this second conviction, it will not sit well with many Surinamese who view him first and foremost as a murderer.
From vaxxing to doxxing: The social media power of Nicki Minaj
After reporter Sharlene Rampersad pressed Minaj's relatives for an interview by implying their privacy would be more quickly respected by her local news outlet than by CNN, Minaj doxxed her.
Forgotten history: American aeronaut Jeanette Van Tassel lies buried in Dhaka Christian Cemetery
A daredevil aeronaut from the US took part in the first manned balloon flight in present-day Bangladesh in 1892, which ended in a tragedy.
Ahead of September elections, Russia tightens grip on remaining online freedoms
Ahead of Russia's parliamentary elections on September 17-19, the state's crackdown on opposition groups, circumvention tools and internet infrastructure has escalated to a fever pitch.
Asking for a cousin's friend: The viral load of Nicki Minaj's vaccine misinformation tweet
The controversial tweet followed others that dealt with COVID-19 vaccination, including Minaj's announcement she would forego the Met Gala because attendance was vaccine contingent and she hadn't done “enough research.”
Investigative journalism group OCCRP says it will no longer work in Russia
Drew Sullivan, OCCRP's co-founder and editor-in-chief, said their work in Russia at the moment would do local reporters "more harm than good."
Constitutional changes and mistrust mark Angola's election announcement
The 2022 election is due to be held in August 2022, but is already causing debate among Angolans, especially due to mistrust over how the process has been managed.
Russia blocks popular website for worker complaints
Antijob, an online database of anonymous complaints about Russian employers, has been blocked by censors following a defamation case brought by a Moscow real estate firm.
Dalit erasure, or how Rolling Stone India failed to demonstrate diligent storytelling
A special cover by pop culture magazine Rolling Stone India and music platform Majjaa carrying interviews of singers Dhee and Vincent de Paul stirred controversy and widespread displeasure.
