Stories about Politics from February, 2016
Bolivians Use Social Media to Expose Electoral Fraud in President Morales’ Referendum
"None of this is new. But this time, it shows the power of social media, and that now we are able to impact a campaign with the truth."
Volunteer Disaster Relief Efforts Cultivate a Friendship Between Taiwanese and Japanese
"You helped us and we weren’t even your friends, so of course we came to help. Japan and Taiwan will be best friends forever."
China Won't Broadcast the Hong Kong Film Awards Because of Dystopian Nominee ‘Ten Years’
"What is so fearful about this film? The film has portrayed different thoughts and perspectives; this can be a starting point for communication and understanding."
World's Oldest President, Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, Turns 92
"I have died many times. I have actually beaten Jesus Christ because he only died once."
Facts Be Damned. China's President Demands Media Outlets Parrot the Party Line
"When all the media are working for something other than the people's interest, people are left behind and forgotten."
Journalist Hit With Defamation Suit From Timor Leste's Prime Minister Over Corruption Reporting
It's the second time the journalist has faced legal action accusing defamation. This time, it's over his reporting on alleged irregularities in a computer equipment project in the Finance Ministry.
Jamaica Struggles Towards Election Day, Without Political Debates
"D is for debates. We might as well take that word out of our vocabulary [...] Jamaica does not have a culture of mature political discussion."
Albanian Police Use Force Against Protesters Defending the Capital's Last Public Park
One police officer was heard threatening them with the words: "There will be blood!"
Ghanaian Facebook Commentator Sued For Defamation by Deputy Attorney General
'Is there any fundraising effort to support our brother Evron Rothschild Hughes fight this impudence of a libel suit filed against free speech by Ghana's Deputy Attorney General?'
Protests at Indian Universities Add Fuel to Public Outrage Over Sedition Laws
The arrest of student leader Kanhaiya Kumar on sedition charges has posed a rare legitimacy test for Prime Minister Nahendra Modi and his "intolerant" ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.
Brazilian Activist Flooded With Death Threats After Newspaper Runs Phony Interview
The well-known Brazilian journalist, teacher, and human rights activist Leonardo Sakamoto says he started receiving death threats after a small newspaper published a fake interview with him earlier this month.
The KRA Factor: The Shaming of Kadyrov’s Online Critics
The Chechen ideologists have invented a highly effective way of influencing their online critics. The method has been tested in Chechnya and is now being used outside of the republic.
‘Uganda Is a Boiling Pot': Arrests, Rigging Claims and a Social Media Shutdown Mar Elections
"Winning an election through hook and crook while clobbering your fellow countrymen should never be a proud moment!"
The Gambia Commemorates 51 Years of Independence, But Not Everyone Is Celebrating
The Gambia celebrated 51 years of independence from Great Britain on February 18, 2016, more than half a century after becoming Africa's 37th sovereign state.
China's Media Wants You to Love the State as Much as You Love Your Family
"...you can't cut your connection with your father for the emperor's sake. The expression of 'showing filial piety to the state' is absolutely ridiculous."
A Blogger Exposes Personal Data Protection Flaw on Macedonia's Election Commission Website
"The mishap is at a very amateurish level from the perspective of professional principles of working with personal data on the open Web."
A New Poster Shows Just How Desperate Japan's Hated Opposition Party Is for Votes
Japan's DPJ has released an election poster that asks voters to hold their nose and vote for them. Desperate?
Hungary’s Teachers Are Mad As Hell and They’re Not Taking It Anymore
Dissatisfaction with the declining state of Hungarian education has been brewing for years and has culminated in a protest by 30,000 people in Budapest.
A House in the Hills Raises Temperatures in Jamaica's Election Campaign
With elections scheduled to take place in about a week, the two main political parties bicker over a national debate while the electorate -- and Jamaica's democracy -- suffer.
This Writer and Activist Wants to Rescue the West's Knowledge of Russia, One Translation at a Time
Translator Thomas Campbell tries to bridge the gap through his blog. Last week, he visited NYU, where he described the experience of running his website and monitoring the Russian blogosphere.
The Racist Portrayal of the Philippines in Historical Cartoons as US Troops Invaded
The cartoons portrayed Filipinos as uncivilized people who needed to be educated by the invading United States army.