Stories about Governance from July, 2017
In Bangladesh, Fear Drives Headline-Making Spate of Snake Killings
"The mainstream media is spreading the news with enthusiasm. This is leading to more people being interested in killing these animals."
One Year Later: Why the Purges in Turkey Were Always in the Pipeline
"What has happened in Turkey is a tragedy, made even worse by the fact that the loudest voices in the chorus said the wrong things at the wrong time."
The Venezuelan People's Vote of Rebellion
"Wherever we may be, Venezuelans just want to vote. Even when we have to organize the elections ourselves. To vote and vote, even if the government denies us the right."
Bangladesh's ICT Act Paved the Way for Hundreds of Lawsuits Over Online Speech
There are currently 319 cases being heard in the courts under Bangladesh's notoriously broad ICT Act. Many of them involve lawsuits against journalists.
Papua New Guinea Court Issues Gag Order Against Blogger Critical of Electoral Commissioner
"Dear all, Since I have been restrained by the courts I will be tweeting this image daily until such time I am allowed to tweet freely."
Myanmar’s Challenging Media Landscape, in Cartoons
Cartoons published by The Irrawaddy over the course of four years— from 2014 to 2017—reflecting the media milestones and hardships experienced in Myanmar.
The More India's Ruling Party Pushes the Hindi Language, the More Indians Oppose It
"We are not saying no to Hindi...[the] question should be why 'only' Hindi."
Teodorín N. O. Mangue, Son of the President of Equatorial Guinea, Faces Justice in Paris
The defendant did not deign to travel to Paris and was represented by three lawyers there. Their strategy consisted in arguing that he benefits from diplomatic immunity.
Philippine Senator Moves to Criminalize ‘Fake News’ — Could This Lead to Censorship?
"How does one distinguish between a false report based on an honest mistake and one maliciously spread through print, broadcasting and online?"
The Fraught Relationship Between Ethiopia's Capital City and Largest State
A bill seeks to redress historical injustices inflicted on the Oromo people since the establishment of the capital Addis Ababa inside their state. Does it go far enough? Too far?
Turkish Authorities Detain Top Human Rights Defenders at Training Workshop
"[These] people who have dedicated their lives to human rights. A day will come when they will stand for the rights of those behind these vile news stories."
Erdogan's Post-Evolutionary Turkey Floods School Classrooms, Threatens Universities
No more Darwin for schoolchildren, but that might not be the end of it.
Many Mozambicans Aren't on Board With a Minister's Idea of Using Old Buses as Classrooms
"I have nothing against recycling, but to suggest that the children of the poor be squeezed into the old buses from the companies’ trash..."
The Brief Contentious Ministership of Trinidad & Tobago’s Marlene McDonald
"#ThingsLongerThanMarleneWuk the continued acceptance of sub-par governance from both parties"