Stories about Media & Journalism from April, 2020
Setbacks for freedom of expression as Tunisia fights COVID-19
Two bloggers have been arrested for accusing local authorities of corruption in relation to aid distribution, while a journalist who criticized the health minister faced insults online.
COVID-19 in the Middle East: Is this pandemic a health crisis or a war?
War-like rhetoric around COVID-19 has allowed governments in the Middle East and North Africa to execute emergency powers and impose draconian measures that would otherwise be unacceptable.
Prosecutions mount as Russia intensifies fight against COVID-19 ‘fake news’
Russia has made sharing "fake news" a criminal offence. Rights activists fear that charges will be brought against anybody questioning the state's account of the coronavirus pandemic.
Nepali cartoonists illustrate the country’s COVID-19 crisis
Nepali cartoonists use satire and comedy to depict the country under lockdown.
Liberia's President George Weah sings his fight against COVID-19
Despite a message and movement solidarity in the fight against COVID-19 in Liberia, President George Weah still faces critique over a tanking economy and restricted media.
For Nepal's migrant and daily wage workers, lockdown is more dangerous than the coronavirus
Domestic daily wage labourers and migrant workers are among those hardest hit by the COVID-19 restrictions imposed in Nepal.
Fighting the COVID-19 ‘Infodemic’ in the Asia-Pacific
EngageMedia lists some of the media initiatives addressing the COVID-19 "Infodemic' across the Asia-Pacific region
Indigenous people in Australia prepare for COVID-19
With more than 150,000 of Australia's indigenous people living in remote areas and often facing major health issues, special emphasis is being put on protecting this vulnerable population against COVID-19.
Even with a law, São Paulo's municipalities are not fulfilling citizens’ right of access to information
Using Brazil's Law on Access to Information, Agência Mural asked 39 municipalities about their current objectives: Many ignored the requests, and the majority which replied did not send clear data.
Malaysia orders ‘stern action’ against media misreporting government statements on COVID-19
"Resorting to censorship, especially in its extreme form, in a time of crisis reflects the insecurity of the government of the day."
A new cross-regional anti-disinformation initiative launches in the Balkans
The network includes members from North Macedonia, Greece, Serbia, Kosovo, and Albania, and will work in cooperation with similar groups from other neighboring countries.
Fighting COVID-19 goes hand-in-hand with shuttering newspapers across the Middle East
As part of their measures to counter COVID-19, Jordan, Oman, Morocco, the UAE and Yemen, have all banned print newspapers until further notice.
Africans in China targeted by xenophobia amid fear of second-wave COVID-19 outbreak
China has seen a surge in the number of imported COVID-19 cases and the African community has become an easy target for "virus control" and xenophobic sentiments.
Ahead of contentious elections, Burundi faces its first COVID-19 cases
The upcoming election in Burundi has been surrounded by concerns over security and transparency. Now, the COVID-19 pandemic poses another public safety concern.
Online journalist detained for quoting Cambodian prime minister’s advice on COVID-19
"The Covid-19 crisis must not be used as pretext for getting rid of journalists who do not blindly toe the government line."
Tunisia has a disinformation problem, but (further) criminalizing speech won't solve it
Following outcry from human rights groups and citizens, a controversial bill that sought to criminalize the spread of ‘’fake news’’ online was quickly withdrawn.
India's COVID-19 lockdown leaves vulnerable populations to fend for themselves
While the government has guaranteed essential services to be exempt from the lockdown, poorer sections of the population have been left in the lurch even in the capital.
Serbian government revokes controversial COVID-19-related decree used as pretext to arrests journalists
Public outcry after arrest of journalist embarrassed the Serbian government, which revoked its decree aimed at centralizing flow of information about COVID-19 epidemic.
Hong Kong censures public broadcaster for raising question on Taiwan's WHO membership status
"I don't really understand why when a reporter is asking something relating to health, she [...] has to remember there is ‘One Country, Two Systems'…"
Guyana: Timeline of an election impasse
The results of Guyana's 2020 general election have now been delayed by a month. Here's a quick look at what has happened over the time period.
