Stories about Media & Journalism from March, 2014
Putin's Alleged “Ukraine Annexation Plan” Surfaces Online
Katya Gorchinskaya, deputy editor of the newspaper KyivPost, has published on Facebook photographs of a report that journalists are calling "Putin's plan for annexing Ukraine."
Was Jamaica's Vybz Kartel Found Guilty or To Be Found Guilty?
On the heels of the verdict in the Vybz Kartel murder trial, one blogger raises questions about the track records of the Jamaican police and judicial system.
A Telethon to Save Russia's Independent TV
Russia’s only independent television station, TV Rain, is on its last leg. Following what appears to have been an orchestrated campaign to rob the channel of its cable and satellite distributors, advertisers have run for the hills and the station is being evicted from its Moscow studio at Red October...
Misogyny Masquerading as Gender Equality in Barbados?
After questionable statements on gender violence from a public official in Barbados, CODE RED says: The Bureau of Gender Affairs has a mandate for ensuring gender equality. It is precisely because of that mandate that Bureau staff should publicly distance themselves from statements that are sexist, deliberately inflammatory and unsubstantiated.
Ukrainian Women's Sex Boycott Against Russian Men
A creative boycott is drawing the attention of Russian Internet users. Ukrainian women are organizing a new campaign called “Don’t give it to a Russian”—a sex embargo against Russian men.
What Is the Future of Russia's News Media?
Now that Moscow has formally annexed Crimea, following a controversial popular referendum, it's possible, if not extremely likely, that Russian journalists will face even greater difficulties.
As Elections Approach, Denial Runs Deep for Turkey's Erdogan
Turkey's Prime Minister is calling for democratic elections in a democratic state. Meanwhile, media outlets are under attack, Twitter is blocked, and protester oppression is at an all-time high.
Russia's No. 1 Separatist Dead, Again
Doku Umarov was declared dead by the official propaganda arm of the Caucasus Emirate, an armed separatist movement in Russia's south.
Taiwan's #CongressOccupied Protest, Translated
Hundreds of translators have organized themselves through Facebook to translate stories about protesters' occupation of Taiwan's legislature following the ruling party's passage of a controversial trade agreement with China.
Russia Today's YouTube Glitch Spurs Censorship Fears
Russia's liberals seemed to be torn between their principles and a clear opportunity for schadenfreude at a Kremlin-friendly station being blocked.
Flipboard Adds Global Voices to Local Content Guides
Starting this month, Global Voices (in different languages) will be recommended to the millions of people who use an app called Flipboard on their tablets and smartphones.
Is There Anything More Public Than Twitter?
What are the ethics of publishing a tweet without permission? A Buzzfeed report on sexual assaults stirs trouble in the twitterverse.
Activists Add Female Heroines to Wikipedia in Macedonian
The informal citizens’ group “Fight Like a Woman”, (@borisezenski), organized a mini marathon with the purpose of adding articles about notable women from Macedonia to Wikipedia in Macedonian to raise awareness about women's rights and gender equality. The campaign involved activists working within the site of International Women's Day celebrations...
The Appeal of WeChat and Self-Media in China
Tencent’s WeChat, semi-private messaging service has replaced Twitter-like Sina Weibo as a leading channel of alternative information. Tea Leaf Nation has explained the appeal of WeChat and “self-media” in general to young Chinese generation, and the implication of the sudden crackdown.
Ethiopian Journalist Reeyot Alemu Has Been in Jail for 1,000 Days
On March 16, 2014, jailed Ethiopian journalist Reeyot Alemu spent her 1000th day of imprisonment. Twitter users lent their support using the hashtag #ReeyotAlemu.
On Rwanda's Twittergate
Susan Thomson discusses Rwanda’s Twittergate in the context of disinformation campaign by Rwanda's president Paul Kagame: Rwanda’s Twitter-gate raises questions about the central role of RPF Twitter-trolls in calling out foreign journalists who seek to hold it to account for its excesses at home and abroad. President Kagame’s reactionary tweets...
Did Russia's Most Famous Actor Just Denounce Vladimir Putin?
In Russia, it is exceedingly rare for anyone who regularly appears on television or the silver screen to criticize, let alone denounce, Vladimir Putin. But did Khabensky?
Young Woman in Madagascar Kills Herself after Photos Were Re-posted on Facebook
Koolsaina writes that a Malagasy girl killed herself [fr] after photos of her were posted on a Facebook page that showcase photos of young women from Madagascar without their consent. A call to Facebook administrators was initiated to take down the page. As of today (March 16, 2014), Koolsaina reports...
The Hidden Rules of Chinese TV Series Censorship
Chinese film and TV directors often blame strict censorship for losing domestic viewers. But what limits do censorship place on the content of Chinese TV series?
Russia's Crimea Ballot Fraud that Wasn't
A scandal surrounding a ballot photo suggests that Russians are pessimistic about Crimea's Sunday referendum. Many are ready to believe the worst now, even on laughably circumstantial evidence.
GV Face: Happy 25th Birthday, Web!
What's the difference between the Internet and the Web? Why is an open web so important? An all-star panel of techies and rights defenders talks it out on GV Face.
