Stories about Politics from June, 2021
Top Belarusian media website removes social media posts to protect employees
Tut.by editors removed virtually all of the content published on most of their social media channels in 2020 and the first half of 2021, at the height of the post-election protests.
Istanbul: divided on two fronts
As Erdogan delivered a speech at the opening ceremony for the Canal Istanbul project, scores of Istanbul residents were inhaling tear gas and hit with rubber bullets while celebrating Pride.
Hong Kong digital news outlet Stand News removes articles and suspends subscriptions following Apple Daily closure
Pro-democracy digital news outlet Stand News has announced it will remove opinion articles it published before May and stop accepting donations to reduce risks under the national security law.
Myanmar journalists endure attacks for reporting the coup
"We're all just waiting for the knock on the door. Sometimes you hear footsteps on the stairs, it's like they're coming for you: you have this feeling all the time."
Amazon Prime TV series dangerously misrepresents Eelam Tamil narratives and histories
An Indian TV show, which launched its second season on Amazon Prime recently, landed deep in controversy for portraying the Lankan Tamils in a highly colourist and problematic manner.
Pride month marred by crackdown in Azerbaijan
As Pride month nears its end, one European country stands out for its dismal record when it comes to supporting the LGBTQI+ community.
How I awoke from the lasting Cuban deception
"My awakening to the realization of the injustice caused by totalitarianism was a long and painful process."
In Turkey, Pride Picnic draws police violence
The Istanbul Pride Week Committee said one person was detained and several were battered during a violent police intervention.
Turkey: Pandemic restrictions out, new restrictions in
"Excuse me, but nobody has the right to disturb anyone at night," President Erdogan said recently about new restrictions concerning music, which drew immediate backlash.
Turkey moves to ban pro-Kurdish political party
The 843-page indictment was first filed by the chief prosecutor of Turkey's Supreme Court of Appeals in March 2021, accusing the party of collaborating with the outlawed Kurdistan Worker's Party militant group.
Security police interventions force closure of Apple Daily, Hong Kong's 26-year-old pro-democracy news outlet
In its inaugural editorial, Apple Daily had stated: "Are we not afraid of the changes 1997 could bring about? We are, but we are not willing to be daunted by fear."
Pashinyan claims landslide victory in a snap parliamentary vote in Armenia
Preliminary results suggested Pashinyan's Civil Contract party won with 58 percent of the vote.
Pro-democracy Hongkongers vow to resist on the anniversary of anti-China extradition protests
Overseas Hongkongers rallied in 52 cities around the world advocate for the city's liberation while for those who choose to stay vow that they will continue to resist on June 12 2021.
To save its economy, can Tunisia reform its oversized public sector?
“These past 10 post-revolution years, romanticised by the West, have solidified for us as more misery and living with the failing of state’s institutions."
Operation Crab: Angola tackles political corruption
Despite these firings and arrests, Angolans themselves do not believe that corruption will end in their country.
‘Night of long knives’ escalates in Nicaragua as Ortega kidnaps opposition
For many, the recent detentions prove President Daniel Ortega is not willing to face open presidential elections this November.
Some Thai students reject uniforms and standing for national flag during online classes
Some students refused to stand while others used a camera filter to make it appear like they were wearing a school uniform.
Arrests of more Mother Nature environmentalists in Cambodia labeled a witch hunt
Officials called the group "rebellious" and claimed they were using foreign funding in efforts to topple the government.
Pro-democracy Apple Daily continues its operations despite raid, seizures and arrests
Among the five senior executives arrested, two were officially charged with with conspiracy to collude with external elements on June 18
WATCH/LISTEN: “Beyond the Protest Square,” a conversation with Tanya Lokot
Missed the livestream of the June 17 Global Voices Insights webinar featuring media scholar Tanya Lokot on her new book "Beyond the Protest Square"? Here are the video and audio replays.
Chile's new constitution offers unique opportunity to rethink workers’ rights in the digital age
When technological solutions are implemented in unchecked environments, as has become an issue in Chile, they also threaten to bring about over-automation, and unhappiness in workers
