Stories about Citizen Media from July, 2023
Can Taiwan become a hub for journalists fleeing mounting authoritarianism in Asia?
Taiwan is rated as one of the freest societies in Asia, but are the Taiwanese authorities ready to turn the island into a welcoming and safe haven for journalists fleeing authoritarianism in their home countries in Asia?
Sustainable innovations: Dang, Nepal turns dung into energy
Nearly 90 percent of the garbage in Dang district's semi-rural Ghorahi city is biomass that includes kitchen waste, farm residue and livestock dung that can be turned into flammable methane gas.
Haitian refugees land on Jamaican shores, while CARICOM’s efforts to help its troubled member state falter
"The anxiety among many social media commentators over the treatment of the refugees reflects an appreciation of the historical ties, and mixed feelings of admiration, helplessness, and obligation towards Haiti ..."
An interview with Aïssatou Fofana, environmental investigative journalist in Ivory Coast
Aïssatou Fofana, an Ivorian journalist specialising in environmental investigations, talks to Global Voices about her passion but also the dangers of the job, and about her own media platform.
‘Indigenous languages are asleep, not extinct,’ says Kokama linguistics researcher
The UN has instituted the period between 2022 and 2032 as International Decade for Indigenous Languages. In an interview for GV's partner Amazônia Real, professor and researcher Altaci Rubim, from the Kokama people, talks about the importance of it.
The Great Leap Backwards of media in China
To understand the nuances of censorship, state violence, resilience and journalistic courage in China, Global Voices interviewed Cédric Alviani, head of the Taiwan-based office of RSF for East and Southeast Asia.
Togo finally gives its authors recognition in its school syllabus
As a result of a reform of the literature teaching program in secondary schools, Togolese authors are at last making their entry into the lessons of their country.
Undertones: Inside Russian influencer chats in Argentina
The conversations happening on these Telegram channels do not have to do with Russian politics - but with Argentina's
The Belarus regime’s crackdown on civil society continues
The number of political prisoners in Belarus continues to rise; by the end of June, there were 1,496 individuals languishing behind bars on politically-motivated charges.
Burundian women reclaim self-worth thanks to their resilience
A third of all Burundian women suffer physical violence and those who leave home fall into poverty. However, a Burundian businesswoman has subsequently become their role model.
‘People in Belarus live in constant terror, fearing a system that can arbitrarily target anyone’
"Our human rights work in Belarus involves direct action. We engage in activities such as collecting resources, learning to purchase necessary items and communicating with the families of political prisoners."
In Togo, a journalist honoured for his fight against corruption must from now on live in exile
In Togo, the journalist Ferdinand Ayité's determination and resilience net him an international prize, but Togolese journalists are still powerless in the face of exile.
Fuel price increase leads to demonstrations and deaths in Angola
Petrol prices rose from 160 kwanzas to 300 kwanzas per litre (from US$0.26 to US$0.49) following the government's announcement of a gradual withdrawal of gasoline subsidies.
‘Please hate the terrorist state’: Trans people and allies speak up against a transphobic law in Russia
A group of anonymous activists who call themselves The Ural Queer Republic, from the Russian city of Ekaterinburg, announced an action and launched Twitter and Telegram channels before the approval of the law.
Some authors are gone, others are still writing, but Caribbean literature endures
"[A]s Peepal Tree Press publishes Rahim’s posthumous novel, [it is] pronounced among “best Caribbean novels,” tackling questions of “society and personal being asked by great novelists from Eliot to Lovelace.”
Assam, India witnesses huge protests over rearranged constituencies
The opposition parties in the Indian state of Assam are protesting against a draft proposal that will redraw electoral constituencies, claiming that it will target communities predominantly populated by Muslims.
#VoicesOfChange: Residents unite against cartels in Guerrero, Mexico
Cartel-driven violence and the complicity of local authorities motivate this group to advocate through social media.
Funding for LGBTQ+ movements in South Asia
The LGBTQI+ movements in South Asia have to work with little to no funding support. As a consequence, the rights and issues of LGBTQ+ people are severely under-resourced.
Ibihe: One of the few Burundian news outlets raising climate crisis awareness
Burundian news outlet, Ibihe.org, is one of the country’s few local outlets to report the climate crisis challenges impacting Africa and other regions the world over.
Suriname's significant holiday of Keti Koti is finally gaining Dutch importance
Suriname's Keti Koti is celebrated annually to mark the abolition of slavery. The July 1, 2023 commemoration was special, however, as it marked the beginning of the Dutch Slavery Memorial Year.
IciCongo: Portrait of a young online channel that wants to ‘Tell the story of Congo differently’
In the DRC, an online outlet stands out by promoting an editorial policy that brings to the fore daily life as really lived by the majority of Congolese.
