Stories about Media & Journalism from January, 2023
First victims of anti-LGBTQ+ law in Russia are trans persons and books
Openly trans Tiktokers, a publishing house, movies and TV shows feel the weight of the Russian anti-LGBTQ+ propaganda law.
Social networks make civil society voices heard in Togo
Internet in Togo enables influencers to make social networks effective promotion platforms. Journalists and civil society activists take advantage of this to make their voices heard.
There are almost 1,500 political prisoners in Belarus
The main tools for repressing critics of the regime and dissidents in Belarus are still criminal and administrative prosecution, arbitrary arrests, dismissals from work and de facto deportations
State-affiliated actors launch smear campaign against Hungarian investigative nonprofit Átlátszó
Hungarian pro-government media publish defamatory texts about independent investigative outlet Atlatszo with allegations that it was receiving 'Judas money' and being a 'criminal association' involved in treason and anti-national activities.
Bollywood’s ‘Faraaz’ raises questions about trauma exploitation in art
The upcoming Bollywood thriller “Faraaz” sparked controversy in Bangladesh and a legal battle in India because of the incorrect portrayal of the key characters and the victims’ right to privacy.
Undertones in Myanmar: Junta, Buddhism, Youth
Researchers from Myanmar expect heightened tension as the country heads towards military-led elections this year.
May 14 will determine the future of Turkey
Pundits who have been watching the country's political turmoil brought by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) describe the upcoming May vote as crucial.
“I will forever be the enemy of the Russian regime” says TikToker in Moldova
This is the first case of a TikToker formerly based in Russia openly standing against the Russian regime and supporting Ukraine.
President Bukele harasses independent journalists on Twitter in El Salvador
Bukele's presidency has attacked and discredited independent journalists who expose corruption in his government, putting them at risk of harassment and violence.
Saudi Arabia: Call for release of two Saudi Wikipedians
A request for the release of doctors Osama Khalid and Ziad Al-Sufyani, who contributed to Wikipedia Arabic and were jailed in Saudi Arabia for 32 and 8 years, respectively.
Thailand’s new ministerial decree could further suppress free speech online
The new decree is “another tool of control for the authorities to silence critical dissent, and a reflection of the digital dictatorship in Thailand.”
BBC Bangla issues its final broadcast after 81 years
BBC Bangla radio was a source of impartial and credible news during crises in Bangladesh over the decades. The closure of its radio broadcasts marks the end of an era.
Bolsonaro supporters attempt coup, storming Brazil's three powers headquarters
Jan. 8, 2023, is now a date to remember in Brazil: the day when a bolsonarista mob invaded the nation's top state buildings in an attempted coup, one week after Lula's inauguration.
Undertones in India: Going undercover in Hindu supremacy networks
A group of researchers went undercover in far-right Hindu groups to break their bubble.
Rights organization OVD-Info gives an overview of repression in Russia in 2022
In 2022 in Russia, there were more than 21,000 arrests and at least 370 defendants in criminal cases for anti-war statements and speeches. More than 200,000 Internet resources have been blocked including 11 sentences in cases of state treason.
Bolsonaro kept religious element in public appearances, amidst protests and the end of this term
The 2022 Brazilian presidential campaign was marked by the use of churches and religious leaders as political weapons. As Bolsonaro's government reached its end, the outgoing president seemed to hold on to it.
Saudi Arabia: Government agents infiltrate Wikipedia, sentence independent admins to prison
The Saudi government infiltrated Wikipedia by recruiting the organization’s highest-ranking administrators in the country to control information about the country and prosecute those who contributed critical information about political detainees.
Kosovo: Six attacks against journalists in December following escalating tensions
The Kosovo media sphere is endangered by the recent physical assaults and their implications for press freedom and reporting on developments in the northern part of the country
Undertones in Russia: War, Propaganda, the West
Researchers share some of the strongest narratives that are circulating in Russia and what we can expect in 2023
