Stories about Media & Journalism from January, 2021
In Tanzania, full-throttle COVID-19 denial leaves citizens without access to public health information
Since March 2020, the Tanzanian government has gone silent on the coronavirus with no data released to the public on infections or deaths.
Japanese skincare company faces online backlash and boycott after CEO's racist remarks
Critics are also drawing attention to the DHC's connections to the Japanese far-right and its efforts to distribute conspiracy theories online.
A Zimbabwean journalist, two opposition politicians jailed for tweets about police brutality
Hopewell Chin’ono, Job Sikhala and Fadzai Mahere were arrested for tweeting about a police officer who allegedly beat a baby to death while enforcing COVID-19 regulations.
Nepali Times, a leading English-language weekly, starts 2021 by reviving its print edition
Publisher Kunda Dixit says the print edition has brought in revenue and positive feedback from readers.
Tunisia’s fight against COVID-19 unmasks shaky ground for digital rights
In Tunisia, local authorities have, throughout the pandemic, resorted to historical tricks by using vague, existing laws to curb freedom of expression and limit citizens’ rights to information.
What drives ‘J-Anon’, QAnon's Japanese counterpart?
Donald Trump seems to have found supporters amid Japan's religious cults.
Social media blackout, violent crackdown on opposition ahead of presidential elections in Uganda
“Millions of young people demand reform and say their future is pitted against a small cadre of tyrants committed to retaining power at all costs,” says Bobi Wine.
Lockdown to shutdown: How COVID-19 stifled digital rights in Zimbabwe
COVID-19 and its subsequent government policies have had far-reaching implications on digital rights and media freedom in Zimbabwe.
In Uganda, COVID-19 rules are ‘perfect instrument for criminalizing dissent’
In Uganda, increased criminalization of misinformation during the pandemic infringed on citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and access to information, especially targeting journalists and human rights activists.
‘This is the USA?’ The Caribbean reacts to the Capitol protests
As thousands of Trump supporters stormed the United States Capitol on January 6, Caribbean netizens couldn't help but notice the term 'shithole country' had now been turned on its head.
COVID-19 and shrinking freedom limits in Jordan
In Jordan, recent detentions of journalists and activists in 2020 bear the hallmarks of a police state.
2020: The year of feminist struggles and political resistance in Latin America
The year 2020 was marked by the role of feminist and social movements in helping bring about immense political changes in Latin America and the Caribbean despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
