Stories about Media & Journalism from September, 2017
On Telegram, Russian Politics and Memes Translate Into Big Bucks
One of the most popular Telegram channels made the headlines in the Russian press in September 2017 when it was sold for 5.5 million rubles (US$95,000).
Criticism of Trinidad & Tobago's State Enterprise System Follows Fraud Allegation Against Oil Supplier
"The State enterprise system is the vehicle by which the unholy facilitations are carried out [...] It has been destructive of honesty, accountability and transparency."
Sentenced to One Year in Prison for ‘Inciting Protest,’ a Moroccan Journalist Goes on Hunger Strike
Several journalists have been arrested by Moroccan authorities over their coverage of the unrest in the Rif region.
In Ukraine, Fears of ‘Technological Terrorism’ Cause Free Expression to Decline
State of Internet freedom in Ukraine is a reflection of challenges brought to free speech and independent reporting under the conflict settings, explains legal expert Olga Kyryliuk.
Thousands of Indians Take to Streets Seeking Justice for Murdered Journalist Gauri Lankesh
"There has rarely been a period of such constructed, deliberate terror and hatred. We are up against the largest machine of hate."
Twitter Tells Kashmiri Journalists and Activists That They Will Be Censored at Indian Government's Request
"It is an attempt at intimidating those who post the truth that will never be shown by Indian media."
The Stories Behind DACA, the Now-Ended Program for Young Undocumented Immigrants in the US
"The term American should not be defined by a document or the lack of one, but more so the willingness to contribute to the country and help others out..."
At Twitter's Tokyo Office, Protesters Stomp on Hateful Tweets
About one hundred demonstrators gathered outside Twitter Japan's Tokyo headquarters to demand that the company do more to rein in harassment and hate speech on its network.
Violence in Northwest Myanmar Sparks an Information War Online with Anti-Rohingya Hate Speech and Fake Photos
Malicious propaganda, hate speech, and false photos are making it difficult to verify information coming from the conflict in northwest Myanmar.
Azerbaijan Runs $2.9 Billion ‘Laundromat’ but Soros and the ‘Armenian Lobby’ Are to Blame
"The Azerbaijani operation...was likely designed primarily to obscure the origin and destination of dirty money."
Cambodia Daily Closes Down After Government Threatened It with Hefty Tax Bill
"Cambodia lost a significant aspect of its media diversity. It lost a training ground for a generation of Khmer journalists. It lost a beacon of free speech."
A Year After Newspaper Ban, Independent Media Remain Under Siege in Oman
Azamn newspaper was banned over a report on interference with the independence of the judiciary. One of its journalists remains in prison.
Iran's Foreign Minister Says He Won't Tweet in Persian Because of Twitter Censorship
The rhetoric of the Rouhani administration is giving off less hope for online freedoms, and the popular foreign minister's statements about not tweeting for Iranian audiences has increased concerns.
Gauri Lankesh, a Journalist Who Was Critical of India's Right Wing, Is Gunned Down Outside Her Home
"In fact, this is an assassination on democracy. In her passing, Karnataka has lost a strong progressive voice..."
Jamaica’s New Anti-Crime Strategy Gets a Cautious Thumbs up, at Least for Now
Jamaicans are fed up with the rise in violent crime, prompting the government to pass legislation designating special zones in which security forces have additional powers to curb crime.
Local Groups Warn Suicide Is on the Rise Among Iran's Impoverished Arab Ahwazi Community
Ahwazi Arabs experience systematic discrimination in Iran. "There are people who have had to change their first and last name...to hide their Ahwazi Arab identity to get hired."
Starbucks Opening in Turkmenistan Is Fake News
"At the fake "Starbucks" cafe, a "grande" cappuccino costs 12.50 manats, over twice its average cost in other trendy Ashgabat cafes."
Public Trust in Justice Takes Another Knock With Arrest of Former Trinidad & Tobago Attorney General
"We caution members of the public to reserve comment until after a court of law has pronounced."
Macau Journalists Told to Write More Positive Stories in Wake of Deadly Typhoon
"...we only saw the government busy clearing the noise, using ridiculous reasons to refuse entry to outside journalists; and [compelling] multiple local outlets to conduct self-censorship..."
