Stories about Weblog from August, 2018
‘Fake news’ is in the eye of the beholder: China is centralizing efforts to stop online ‘rumors’
In July 2018, Chinese state internet regulators received 6.7 million reports of illegal and false information.
In Mozambique, new licensing fees have raised the cost of doing journalism — and may threaten media freedom
The fees were described by Mozambican online newspaper @Verdade as "astronomical".
Can a controversial in-vitro fertilization process save the northern white rhino?
"A practical concern for any future Northern white rhinos successfully bred through IVF is...where they would live. Much of the sub-species’ former range has lost rhinos in its entirety..."
The ‘Khan Meter’ will assess the new Pakistani prime minister's performance
"It’s time to start monitoring our government, discuss where they went wrong as well as appreciate what they did right. It helps us think logically about the new government’s performance..."
Remembering Kofi Annan's forgotten efforts in Timor-Leste
"Dozens of Timorese conducted a candle-light vigil in remembrance of former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and his contribution to the Independence process of East Timor."
Another Australian prime minister deposed by internal party coup
"Funny how they call young people snowflakes and entitled when they are the most emotional, inconsistent and self-serving lot in this whole country."
Nicaragua's diaspora activists bear a ‘double burden’
The political and emotional challenges of diaspora activism are complex: "Receiving news firsthand also means feeling it firsthand."
Will France’s new street harassment law really benefit women?
"We refuse to let feminism be used to reinforce the French government’s tendencies toward racism and over-policing."
Artists rise up as Ugandan MP ‘Bobi Wine’ faces fresh charges of treason
"The extent to which violence is escalating in this country is worrying and we should all be concerned. We need to reflect on these matters and find a way forward."
Blooms of fire: How Japan celebrates summer with ‘hanabi’
The summer months of July and August in Japan are famed for their fireworks, known as 'hanabi' (花火) in Japanese. Here are some photos.
The artist ‘Headache Stencil’ uses graffiti to criticize military rule in Thailand
"If people see my work and start noticing that things aren’t fair, I’ve achieved my aim."
A new law threatens artistic expression in Cuba
"Your censorship is in the closure of concerts...It was always there, you only legalized it. Then you accuse us of politicizing art...Stop already with the repression...."
Water shortages weigh heavy on Afghanistan
The capital Kabul is already thirsty, and its population is set to grow by over a third in the next three decades.
#FreeBobiWine: Protests mount over torture and arrest of a young political force in Uganda
"In our new Africa, there is no room for brutality, we cherish each other. Let us debate disagreements, not crush opponents."
Facebook admits it has been slow in addressing hate speech in Myanmar
"The ethnic violence in Myanmar is horrific and we have been too slow to prevent misinformation and hate on Facebook."
Netizens flood the internet with support for monsoon victims in Kerala, India
"Kerala is striving together...to overcome the catastrophic flood. However...some are trying to malign this great effort with misinformation in the form of fake messages on social media."
Fans around the world celebrate as Akira turns 30
On July 16, 2018 netizens around the world marked the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Akira, a groundbreaking film that revolutionized animated movies forever.
Kerala floods: Tech-savvy Indian citizens mobilize to minimize the damage
"The spirit of unity, willpower, compassion, and dedication of thousands of volunteers belonging to state and non-state agencies in Kerala are indescribable."
Fearing reprimand, student protesters in Bangladesh go silent
The government has blamed social media users and activists for trying to create unrest by sharing provocative posts and content on Facebook.
Latin America is the deadliest region on Earth — and this YouTube series wants to know why
Run by young reporters from the 130-year-old Colombian newspaper El Espectador, La Pulla combines hard analyzes with a raw sense of humor to delve into complex topics.
The ongoing water crisis in Iran's Ahwaz region looming towards disaster
"Why don’t the authorities listen to our voices? Our Buffaloes are dying because of the river drying up. [...] If these animals are starved, we will starve too."
