Stories about Politics from October, 2022
Nong Bua Lamphu massacre in Thailand: Recounting mistakes, seeking a way forward
In the wake of the carnage of the October 6 incident, authorities and the media have begun to reflect on past errors and look for a way forward.
China censors online chatter after anti-Xi Jinping protest; Hong Kong media muted
Keywords such as #Haidian, #Sitong bridge, #Beijing, and even #I-saw-it were censored on Chinese social media.
Ukrainians and Russians turn to Twitter memes about Elon Musk, but this time the tone is no longer humorous
Ukrainians, disappointed in Musk's "peace" proposal, are posting various, sometimes horrific, war scenes with the previously humorous sign "How do you like this, Elon Musk?"
Activists decry shrinking freedom of expression in the Philippines
“We note that Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed to protect journalists and we challenge this administration to denounce media killings, and translate his promise into concrete actions.”
Digitization of public services in Albania has increased their quality, digital rights analyst claims
Albania’s digital "revolution" started in 2013 when government provided 14 electronic services online; today its government provides 1,225 e-services.
The world must hear the voice of Iranian women
The Iranian government is attempting to silence the online and offline voices of women and all dissidents through a brutal and ongoing crackdown.
Activists speculate on Elon Musk's foreign influence after proposing Ukraine and Taiwan peace deals
Speculation about Elon Musk’s ties with Beijing and the Kremlin have been boiling on Twitter after the world's richest man proposed peace plans for the Ukraine-Russia and Taiwan-China conflicts.
Can citizens of democracies still trust the law? A Global Voices Insights discussion
The flip side of regulating the internet is that this enables the state to mobilise itself and erase the existence of these communities and their identities from popular culture and discussion.
Iranian protest crackdown targets ethnic minorities
Like the Baloch, Iran's Kurdish population is predominately Sunni Muslim, and as a result, they experience systematic racial and religious discrimination.
Armenia and Azerbaijan recognize each other's territorial integrity
The peace talks were mediated by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and French president Emanuel Macron.
‘When the porridge is hot, one eats it on the side': Haiti's current protests, explained on Twitter
'I challenge anyone to make a case for [international] military intervention in Haiti [...] it wouldn’t solve the problem [and] it would be an escalation of the crisis.'
Why most Salvadorans want Bukele's re-election despite his growing authoritarianism
Despite accusations of human rights violations, authoritarianism, power grabs, and gang negotiations, most Salvadorans want the re-election of Bukele.
Of coal pots, bicycles and macaroni pie: Is Trinidad & Tobago's government out of touch?
Some of the fiscal measures in Trinidad and Tobago's 2023 Budget have not been well received, but the political repartee is hitting an even more sour note.
Civil society groups call for justice after a radio broadcaster is killed in the Philippines
“...the culture of impunity in the country has made members of the press easy targets by vested interest groups who want to hide the truth.”
Twiplomacy: Uganda's General Muhoozi's tweets threaten peace in East African Region
Many, including former presidential contender Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, see this series of events as further grooming of Muhoozi to succeed his father president Yoweri Museveni as Uganda's next leader.
Schools close as lingering weather system continues to affect Trinidad & Tobago
With the country's Riverine Flood Alert advisory upgraded to Orange Level, and one of Trinidad's major waterways bursting its banks, the late notice of school closure had many citizens upset.
Unfreedom Monitor report: Data Governance
Advox research on data governance as a tool of digital authoritarianism is now in a report. Read an excerpt and download the full pdf.
Why are so many teachers giving up their careers in Hong Kong?
As over 4,000 teachers leave the profession in Hong Kong, some discuss why they were compelled to quit and how the sector is faring.
Brazil’s first round of elections: left scores historical wins but bolsonarism still strong
Despite coming in second place by about 6 million votes in the first round, Bolsonaro's allies managed to secure more seats in parliaments and as governors than Lula's candidates, showing his force to mobilize votes.
Women in Turkey stand in solidarity with women of Iran
In Turkey where women’s rights keep deteriorating, the murder of Mahsa Amini hits close to home. Women from across all walks of life express solidarity with the protests in Iran.
Supporters hold rallies around the world in solidarity with the Iranian people
As the protest movement in Iran continues, rallies in solidarity with the Iranian people’s struggle for freedom and justice were held in more than 150 cities worldwide over the weekend.