Stories about Digital Activism from March, 2021
‘A day without internet is a day in the dark’: The Gambia's growing digital divide
In the Gambia, frequent internet outages and overall instability have made everyday life an increasingly frustrating challenge, impeding both national development and individual growth.
The Gambia’s missed opportunity for digital rights reform
Gambians held high hopes for digital rights reforms under President Adama Barrow. But the draft constitution fell short on its promise to adequately protect digital rights.
The price of dissent: Women and political activism in Vietnam
Women "should think that our fight is not only against dictatorship ... It is also a fight to free ourselves from our own ideological constraints, from the prejudice that we impose on ourselves."
The watchtower on the mountain of Dagestan's indigenous languages
Kaitag, a language variant of the Dargwa family, is spoken in Dagestan's mountainous villages, but has a limited digital presence. Digital activists like Magomed Magomedov are working to change this.
As Jamaica sends a large shipment of rescue dogs to Canada, animal rights activists hope regional attitudes will change
The foreign rehoming of Jamaican stray dogs is seen as a "game-changer," sending an important message to "those who have been accustomed to treat[ing] dogs with cruelty rather than kindness."
Pakistan bans TikTok for the second time
TikTok was blocked in Pakistan for 10 days in October 2020. Access was restored after the app's parent company ByteDance assured authorities it would bolster moderation.
Biru Terong Initiative: Using the power of video for social change in Indonesia
"We use video to capture the social-economic reality of marginalised groups of society and use that footage to stimulate dialogue and learning."
Kenya police turn to Twitter PR as the arrest of a blogger goes against public opinion
“Somehow, the [Directorate of Criminal Investigations] believes that PR, and specifically ‘live-tweeting,’ will change Kenyans' perception without bringing about the much needed reforms within the force.”
Twitter could be fully blocked in Russia within the next month
Russian internet regulator Roskomnadzor says it is prepared to block Twitter completely if the platform continues to ignore its requests to take down content flagged as illegal.
An interview with a blogger who connects Myanmar and Hong Kong's dream for democracy
"Exchanges among activists could help reflect on the inadequacy of local protests and develop a wider horizon in understanding the significance of the pro-democracy movement in Asia."
How India's new internet regulations will change social media, online news and video streaming
If failing to comply, social media platforms could lose intermediary immunity, which means they could be prosecuted for content posted by its users.
‘Aurat March’ 2021 presents feminist healthcare manifesto in Pakistan
Saying that COVID-19 enabled a "Pandemic of Patriarchy," the marchers demanded the government increase the health budget to 5 per cent of GDP so that women may get better healthcare.
In the streets and online, Myanmar's citizens unite in creative opposition to the military junta
"The protests have also been highly inclusive, welcoming people representing a diversity of professions and identities, including people from a range of religious faiths and from the LGBTQ community."
Trinidad & Tobago minister declares ‘safest time for sea turtles’ despite spike in poaching
Leatherback turtle nesting season is well underway, but conservation groups are up in arms over COVID-19 restrictions, which currently block them from doing nightly beach patrols to protect the turtles.
Russian internet regulator Roskomnadzor throttles Twitter loading speeds
Twitter has a small audience in Russia, but more popular platforms such as Facebook and YouTube could also see slower loading speeds if they fail to address state takedown requests.
‘Pandemic Big Brother': Highlighting impact of COVID-19 restrictions on digital freedoms in Eastern Europe
Digital rights activists fear that digital surveillance has become so normalized during the pandemic that it may be hard to roll these measures back once it's over.
Virtual exhibit commemorates 1971 ‘Diliman Commune’ protests in The Philippines
A virtual exhibit features a student-led uprising at The Philippines' top university 50 years ago that has become a symbol of resistance to dictatorial rule and oppression.
Press freedom in Jammu and Kashmir: An interview with journalist Anuradha Bhasin
VideoVolunteers community correspondent Basharat Amin interviews Anuradha Bhasin, executive editor of the Daily Kashmir Times newspaper, to understand the present situation of freedom of the press in Jammu and Kashmir.
