Stories about Media & Journalism from April, 2018
Netizen Report: Protests in Nicaragua trigger media bans, DDoS attacks and the killing of journalist Angel Gahona
The Advox Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
The chilling effect of officials discussing Telegram's imminent ban in Iran
Some officials say Telegram is set to be blocked at the end of April. Although the app remains technically unfiltered at the moment, usage among Iranians is down.
#SOSNicaragua: At least 25 killed in Nicaragua protests, including one journalist, say human rights groups
Nicaraguans are live broadcasting, tweeting and video blogging about the crisis on the ground.
Angolan authorities bring journalist Rafael Marques back to court, for investigating corruption
A journalist best known for exposing human rights violations in the diamond trade, Marques is not the only target of the Angolan regime.
Troll farm takes aim at American audiences in new web campaign
RIA FAN, a Russian news outlet with known connections to the Saint Petersburg "troll factory", announced its latest project: a website called USA Really, aimed at a U.S.-based audience.
‘Compromising journalism. Compromising a young woman's right to be herself. Compromising the nation.’
A Trinidad & Tobago newspaper is slammed for its "homophobic" coverage of history-making sprinter Michelle Lee Ahye.
Will Singapore's plan to combat ‘deliberate online falsehoods’ stifle free speech?
"…the biggest threat to the stability and growth of the democratic process in Singapore is the government’s control of the media and information."
Brexit and bias? The framing of immigrants in the media
Is there something in the topic of Brexit that disinformation efforts can take advantage of? What perspectives might a high-level, data-driven analysis of Brexit news provide?
Liberian journalists detained, slapped with US 1.8 million lawsuit amid political feud
Only weeks after FrontPage Africa reported on the LEITI scandal, the newspaper was slammed with a crippling libel civil lawsuit. Press freedom activists believe FrontPage Africa has been targeted.
As Russian court announces Telegram ban, users stand defiant, amused… and worried
And as a year-long battle between Telegram and the Russian authorities ended with the decision to block the app, reaction to the announcement has been passionate and often derisive.
Jamaican Dancehall Star Buju Banton's Impending Release from Prison Sparks Renewed Controversy
"If Banton[...]retracted his hideous views on homosexuality and sought to amend the damage he has done to men and women across the Caribbean, he would be worthy of a platform."
Will Tanzanian Bloggers Pay Up or Push Back Against ‘Blogger Tax'?
In Tanzania, where media historically holds strong ties to government interests, blogging opened up possibilities for individuals to establish private news outlets that proved immensely powerful.
Ugandan Government Plans to Tax Social Media Users for Too Much Gossip
"Uganda wants to profit where it did not invest. Social media owners gave it out for free and you wanna tax it?"
By Attempting to Curb Disinformation on Slain Politician Marielle Franco, a Brazilian Judge Hands Facebook Censorship Powers
The order could set a dangerous precedent for freedom of speech online in the country.
Russian Newspaper Closes After Years of Tense, Often Violent Confrontation with Security Services
In an op-ed announcing the newspaper’s closure, the acting editor Yuri Grozmani said he had little hope for domestic prosecution of FSB officers complicit in the act of censorship
India's Data Security Dilemma Continues With Cambridge Analytica
The fallout from revelations of data exploitation by Facebook and Cambridge Analytica has taken hold in India, where political leaders are accusing one another of using similar means to manipulate...
Netizen Report: Malaysia Outlaws ‘Fake News’ — Will Singapore Be Next?
The Advox Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
With Elections Approaching and Parliament Dissolved, Will Malaysia's Anti-Fake News Law Become a ‘Political Weapon'?
"While this issue should not be ignored, the proposed broad-based law to criminalise the dissemination of news amounts to legislative overkill."
Tracking Russian Online Interference Teaches Valuable Lessons on Improving News Quality
Years before scandal about Russian trolling erupted into global view, independent researchers had already documented the phenomenon.
Indian Government Threatens to Revoke Media Accreditation Over ‘Fake News’
New federal guidelines in India which states that journalists can lose accreditation if found spreading "fake" or "uncomfortable" news raises an issue of media-surveillance.
Diplomatic Storm Strikes When Trinidad and Tobago Refuses Hurricane-Hit Dominica an Ease on OAS Contributions
"I hope the people of Dominica know that not all Trinbagonians are as graceless as this official position might indicate, and this objection makes many of us feel deeply ashamed."
