Stories about Feature from September, 2017
On Telegram, Russian Politics and Memes Translate Into Big Bucks
One of the most popular Telegram channels made the headlines in the Russian press in September 2017 when it was sold for 5.5 million rubles (US$95,000).
If You Want To Understand Brazil, You Should Check out Its Memes
"Brazilians don't care if you don't understand their language and their jokes, they will talk to you — or Katy Perry, or Nicki Minaj — as if you were Brazilian”
A Pro-Environmental Campaign Pushes the Jamaican Prime Minister’s Public Petition Page Into the Limelight
Cockpit Country is an ecological gem, under threat from bauxite mining. As an online petition to save the area attracts support, Jamaicans find a new way to engage their government.
#WhereIsMySchool? Parents Fight for Proper Education for Children with Disabilities in Bosnia
"More and more parents...refuse to accept the social stigma that comes with developmental difficulties, and reject the misguided notion that they have to carry all the weight themselves."
Katsura Sunshine Brings the Japanese Art of Comic Storytelling to English-Language Audiences
He's the only officially qualified non-Japanese rakugo professional in the world.
Puerto Rico, Trapped Between Colonialism and Hurricanes
Irma and Maria's passing and aftermath have once again brought to light Puerto Rico’s primordial conundrum: colonialism.
Mozambique's President Answers Citizens’ Questions Online, but Avoids Difficult Ones
"Questions and criticism, although they may be badly formed and cause us some irritation at first, are better than compliments, because they oblige us to reflect."
Native Stereotypes, Beware: Indigenous Comic Con in the US Is Nearly Here
"We got superheroes, we got soldiers, we got everybody...It is showing across the spectrum, rather than just a historicized view, of essentially, what boils down to cowboys and Indians."
Indigenous Rappers from Brazil Are Using the Internet to Bring Their Message to the Masses
“I speak the truth, I don't want to be like you/I sing about various issues and with that I am showing/That indigenous voices are the voices of today.”
Exploring Identities: Kazakhstan's Planned Shift to the Latin Alphabet
"Arguments against the adoption of Latin are inherently grounded in imperial Russian or Soviet ideology."
What's the Value of Human Rights? According to the Philippines House of Representatives, $20.
The lower house voted to slash the Commission on Human Rights' budget to just 1,000 pesos, accusing the body of protecting "criminals" over victims in the country's war on drugs.
Twitter Tells Kashmiri Journalists and Activists That They Will Be Censored at Indian Government's Request
"It is an attempt at intimidating those who post the truth that will never be shown by Indian media."
Keeping His Story Alive: The Creative Legacy of Bassel Khartabil
One month after his execution was confirmed, friends honour Bassel Khartabil through art, song and new opportunities for open technology innovators.
Singaporeans Face Police Investigation After Holding Candlelight Vigil for Executed Migrant Worker
When a nonviolent vigil for a man about to be hanged is deemed 'illegal assembly' worthy of a police investigation, it's time to rethink public order and freedom of assembly.
At Twitter's Tokyo Office, Protesters Stomp on Hateful Tweets
About one hundred demonstrators gathered outside Twitter Japan's Tokyo headquarters to demand that the company do more to rein in harassment and hate speech on its network.
Violence in Northwest Myanmar Sparks an Information War Online with Anti-Rohingya Hate Speech and Fake Photos
Malicious propaganda, hate speech, and false photos are making it difficult to verify information coming from the conflict in northwest Myanmar.
#PotongSteam: Malaysian Gamers Blast Blocking of Website Over ‘Fight of Gods’ Video Game
"First they come for (political posts), but I am not political. Then they come for the gamers..."
Azerbaijan Runs $2.9 Billion ‘Laundromat’ but Soros and the ‘Armenian Lobby’ Are to Blame
"The Azerbaijani operation...was likely designed primarily to obscure the origin and destination of dirty money."
Outside Venezuela: Into the Deep Podcast
Two Venezuelan women who left their country at different times for different reasons. This is their story.
Hurricane Irma Hits an Already Crisis-Ridden Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico, an island already broken by a bitter economic and political crisis, suffers through the tragic passing of Hurricane Irma.
Simon Ateba Is Not Ahmed Abba, but He Too Has Experienced Persecution as a Journalist in Cameroon
Media outlets, including Global Voices, have mistakenly identified a photo of Simon Ateba as Ahmed Abba. Both are journalists whose reporting on Boko Haram got them into trouble in Cameroon.
