Stories about Politics from January, 2018
State of Emergency Over Worsening Crime Has Some Jamaicans Relieved — But Is It an Effective Approach?
Is a state of emergency "making progress", or is it a shot in the dark as Jamaica grapples with addressing the social and economic inequity that fuels violent crime?
Leaked Documents Show That Ethiopia’s Ruling Elites Are Hiring Social Media Trolls (And Watching Porn)
The leaks include a list of individuals who appear to have been paid to promote the ruling coalition on social media.
Reuters Journalists Covering Rohingya Conflict in Myanmar Detained for ‘Illegally Acquiring Information’
"If Myanmar is serious about democratic reforms, it must accept the right of journalists to work freely and report on topics that make those in power uncomfortable."
Is Taiwan a Country? What About Tibet? China Says They Aren't—and Wants Foreign Companies to Fall in Line
Multinational corporations have faced pressure to apologize for listing Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and Tibet as countries on their websites, even if in reality it's a common practice.
Philippine Authorities Order Shutdown of Rappler News Site, Bringing a Blow to Press Freedom
"If this revocation stands, Rappler will effectively be shut down —the first time a news organization will be closed by government since the dictator Marcos declared martial law in 1972."
How Will Macau's New Cybersecurity Legislation Impact Freedom of Speech?
The Macau Civil Servants Association (MCSA) called the proposal to monitor online data through binary code “arbitrary, disproportionate and illegal."
Two Leading Figures of the Arts in Iran. Two Very Different Reactions to the Protests.
A notable writer, known for fighting against censorship, condemns the burning of the flag during protests. A notable filmmaker, however, shows support.
Why Wait? Wikipedia and Google Accidentally Declare Putin the Winner of March 2018 Presidential Elections
Whether the error was intended as a joke, or as a political move, is unknown.
In 2017, Samoa's Parliament Made Libel a Crime. How Will This Affect Bloggers and Social Media?
"Concerns about anonymous bloggers should not override the right of citizens to speak freely, without fear of being jailed."
Peruvian Human Rights Activist Sees Similarities Between Maduro's Venezuela and Fujimori's Peru
"Dictatorships not only learn but are sophisticated in their methodology."
Africans ‘School’ US President on Good Governance After ‘Shithole’ Comment Sparks Global Outrage
"Yes, Africa [has] problems. We don't dispute it. But name calling & outright disrespect by the very nation that has stripped off its resources for years is totally crossing it."
Jailed Paraguayan Activists Call Themselves Political Prisoners but the Government Disagrees
"Liberty, for me, is that all men and women have the possibility of working and living with dignity..."
With Age Limit Abolished, Ugandans Fear They Are ‘Stuck’ With President Museveni
"32 yrs of inefficiency and we are now stuck with this incompetent, self serving individual whose government is characteristic of nepotism!"
After Facing Harassment from Authorities, Pakistani Journalist Narrowly Escapes Abduction
Taha Siddiqui is the bureau chief for WION news. He also is an avid social media user and critic of the military.
Australian Prime Minister Accused of Political Fear-Mongering After Warning of ‘African Gangs’
"The insidious thing about this kind of craven political campaigning is that the details and facts don’t matter."
Singapore Authorities Ban Documentary on Palestinian Teen Activists for ‘Skewed Narrative’
"...did you even consider that this documentary...exists to provide a balance, a corrective to the kinds of propaganda that Israel state television and the US-centric media produce..."
The Untimely Death of an Exiled Ethiopian Journalist
"His reward for having conscience in a country that criminalises it was torture & death in exile."
Corruption and Poverty Lead to Rage and Despair in Iran
"The members of parliament need to know that they are accountable to the people, that they represent the people, and that the eyes of the people are upon them."
In Sri Lanka, Families of the Disappeared Treasure the Everyday Items Left Behind (Part Two)
"It’s the lack of progress on the part of the government which led to series of protests highlighting the plight of families of the disappeared, political prisoners...and land occupation."
Jamaican Police Under Pressure After New Year's Party Delays International Flights
"There will be calls for an inquiry. For accountability. Blame will be shifted. Promises will be made. There is one step, however, that we rarely take. Questioning the ‘WHY?’. "
Under Pressure From Cyberspace Administration, China's Top News App Will Hire 2,000 More Content Reviewers
Last week, the country’s top internet regulator accused the news app of spreading pornographic content.