Stories about Media & Journalism from February, 2021
Could Trinidad & Tobago's COVID-19 travel exemption process be compromising citizens’ rights?
One attorney posited that the government’s ability to regulate borders “is no way in question." However, whether the exercise of that power intersects with citizens' rights remains to be argued.
Trinidad & Tobago’s COVID-19 travel exemption process is demoralising its citizens abroad
Nationals who were unable to make it back home before the country's borders closed following its index case of COVID-19 are now at the mercy of the travel exemption system.
In post-war Armenia, legislators take aim at press freedom
Since the war, press work has been thrown into disarray by new and often vague regulations. Now, new draft bills could make reporting in Armenia even more difficult.
Bloggers, journalists and creatives in the crosshairs of the Belarusian state
As the space for free expression in Belarus narrows, many journalists and artists who covered the protests are awaiting trial.
Greece #metoo: Rape accusations against prominent actor and National Theater director finally lead to arrest
Amidst a #metoo whirlwind in Greece, prominent Greek actor and director Dimitris Lignadis is finally arrested on rape charges.
Algeria releases dozens of pro-democracy prisoners ahead of Hirak anniversary
Rachid Nekkaz and Khalid Drareni are among Hirak-linked prisoners pardoned by the president, who also ordered a cabinet reshuffle and dissolved parliament as protests resumed over unmet demands of 2019 upheaval.
Prominent Harvard professor pilloried for peddling revisionist history about wartime ‘comfort women’
Historians familiar with wartime sexual slavery perpetrated by Japanese armed forces point out that the professor, J. Mark Ramseyer, has long championed historical revisionism.
Facebook draws furious response for blocking news stories in Australia
"You know Facebook... Our little thumb has the ultimate power... It’s pretty easy to just #DeleteFacebook."
Research firm uncovers a pro-Huawei influence campaign
While Graphika's research findings are insufficient to suggest that Huawei was behind the operation, its employees were key amplifiers of the comments produced by the fake clusters.
In unrecognized Transnistria, a retiree faces criminal charges for ‘anti-Russian’ rhetoric
A 70-year-old Transnistria citizen faces a five-year prison term for critical statements about Russian peacekeeping forces in the breakaway Moldova region.
Arrest of Indian climate activist Disha Ravi over protest ‘toolkit’ draws backlash
'Editing a Google Doc in support of farmers is an act of sedition in this country now,' a writer said.
Will Burundi's new government lift restrictions on its once-lively press?
Burundi's new president has recently offered an olive branch to suspended media as the government seeks to improve the country's international reputation.
Freedom of expression in a downward spiral in Southern Africa, says new study
Outdated laws, exorbitant fees, and stifling of dissent have ramped up violations to the right of free expression in Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
New Russian law demands self-censorship from social media platforms
Experts believe that the most likely reason for the new self-censorship legislation is the state's desire to curtail the growing discontent and protest activity in the country.
Chinese-Australian journalist Cheng Lei formally arrested for alleged spying in China
Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne has dismissed claims by China that Australia is trying to interfere in their judicial system.
Turkey reins in social media—one platform at a time
The new social media law sets up a series of restrictions that will have a lasting impact on digital rights and freedom of expression in Turkey.
Indian farmers’ protests: Twitter withholds, then restores, prominent accounts by government order
Twitter restored the accounts after concluding they were "speech and newsworthy," a decision the Indian government decried: "Twitter cannot assume the role of a court and justify non-compliance."
