Stories about Media & Journalism from February, 2020
Battered by criticism, Abe government scrambles to save Japan from COVID-19
"Just cancel it!" (#中止だ中止), a line from the 1988 animated film Akira about the cancellation of the fictional Olympics, accompanied by a screenshot of the movie, trended on Japan Twitter.
Twitter urged to take action against harassment of female reporter in Brazil
The smear campaign against Folha de S. Paulo journalist Patrícia Campos Mello is one of several cases of harassment against reporters that have taken place recently in Brazil.
What kind of rumours were circulating during the 2020 Taiwan presidential election?
"...a majority of the rumors were aimed at dividing the Taiwanese society. They provoke people’s emotions and split the community into two political camps."
‘Delhi is burning': 17 dead and hundreds injured in clashes over anti-citizenship law protests
In North East Delhi, violent clashes between pro and anti-citizenship law protesters have resulted in the death of at least 17 civilians. Over 150 people have been injured.
Justice for Tanzanian journalist Erick Kabendera comes at a steep price
Tanzanian freelance journalist Erick Kabendera was released from prison but faces hefty fines on charges of money laundering and tax evasion.
“Parental pin”: the Spanish far-right's fight to control public education
The Spanish political party Vox is demanding the right to prevent their children from being educated about feminism, equality or sexual diversity.
Rising attacks against journalists for reporting about the conflict in north Mozambique
There has been an alarming increase in the number of threats made against journalists who are covering the armed attacks in the northern province of Cabo Delgado.
Journalists seek justice as attacks continue in Colombia
"...when journalists are silenced, the whole of society is attacked.”
Verifying the 2020 presidential elections: An interview with the Taiwan Fact Check Center
For the first time, the Taiwan Fact Check Center fact-checked the live, televised 2020 presidential debates on December 29, 2019.
Japan edges ever closer to a COVID-19 epidemic
As a ship with 454 infected passengers remains quarantined at berth in Yokohama, the likelihood of a potential epidemic within Japan has slowly started to sink in.
Pakistan's draconian rules on social media take activists by surprise
The new rules require social media companies to hand over user information and remove content deemed unlawful when requested by the authorities.
Groundbreaking film on Russia's HIV epidemic goes viral
Nearly one percent of Russia's population is HIV positive, but the authorities have remained silent about the epidemic. It looks like Yury Dud's latest YouTube documentary has broken that silence.
In Lebanon, journalists and activists who cover protests face threats
Media professionals have raised their voices against the use of excessive force against them while they are trying to cover the mass protests.
Is the coronavirus epidemic China's ‘Chernobyl moment'?
"It is a system that turns every natural disaster into an even greater man-made catastrophe."
Broadcasters from Nigeria join global celebration of World Radio Day 2020
Nigerian broadcasters joined radio practitioners around the world to honor the powerful role that radio plays in global development on World Radio Day, February 13, 2020.
‘Luanda Leaks': How Africa's richest woman plundered the Angolan state
The investigation was based on more than 715,000 documents received by the Platform for the Protection of Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF).
A rash of ‘travel bans’ as the Caribbean gets serious about coronavirus
Several Caribbean territories, including Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Dominica, and Trinidad and Tobago, have imposed travel bans to and from China.
Public outcry over Wuhan coronavirus leads to blame game in China
Despite Beijing's claims, the central government bears significant responsibility for the mismanagement of crucial information in the early stages of the coronavirus outbreak.
What do we know about the ‘Great Firewall of India’?
After a six-month-long internet shutdown, access to only 301 white-listed websites has been granted in Jammu and Kashmir, whereas social media, VPNs and many other sites remain banned.
Jordan's online censorship decisions: Non-transparent and — at times — arbitrary
The Jordanian government should take steps to ensure that its citizens’ right to online freedom of expression and information are protected.
Controversy in Malaysia: Do Facebook posts about the coronavirus amount to ‘circulating rumors’?
"...while I agree some restrictions are necessary in times of crisis, dragging someone under the Penal Code is unjustified. Restrictions need not be through punitive measures in this case."
