Stories about Weblog from September, 2022
The great escape from Russia: Live on Russian Twitter
An estimated 260,000 Russians, mostly men, have left their country since September 21 when President Putin declared a "partial mobilization," Most of the ones fleeing cross land borders to Georgia and Kazakhstan.
Filipino writers and academics push back against book censorship
"We believe the accusers have not read our books in entirety. We believe it is a form of terrorism to dictate what can be written and how to write it."
Papua New Guinea’s new media rules could undermine the work of journalists
"We ask the simple question, what have we got to hide from public scrutiny?"
Why fear of a coup attempt is on the horizon in Brazil's elections
Current Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has trailed former president Lula in the polls for more than a month, but in interviews he has been discrediting the numbers and saying he will only believe in his victory.
Brazil’s courts debate use of billboards in political campaigns
Despite being prohibited by law, billboards supporting or criticizing candidates have spread across different states during Brazil's electoral period.
Unfreedom Monitor report: Morocco
Advox research into digital authoritarianism in Morocco is now in a report. Read an excerpt and download the full pdf.
Undertones: Anti-army hashtags gain rare visibility in Pakistan
Criticism of Pakistan’s powerful military has always been voiced in hushed tones, but since the ouster of Prime Minister Imran Khan back in April, Pandora’s box has been flung open.
‘The Art of the Steal?': Russia’s online voting problem
Online voting in an increasingly autocratic Russia means election results should be treated with increased scepticism, not presented as regime approval.
A Georgian neo-Nazi group finds a home on YouTube
A prominent Georgian neo-Nazi group, Georgian National Unity, has reemerged online months after their self-described "commander," Giga Chelidze was released from prison.
Nepal's Citizenship Bill attracts renewed controversy
The President of Nepal is widely facing criticism for refusing to endorse the amendment of Citizenship Bill 2006 which was passed by the house of representatives of Nepal on July 22, 2022.
Iran's most recent protests are unprecedented — here is why
The protests we are seeing right now are unprecedented; they could be a sign of things to come for Iran and its people.
Turkish citizens feel the squeeze of increased EU visa rejections
Veteran journalist Ruşen Çakır, joined a long list of Turkish nationals who have had their Schengen visa applications denied in recent months.
‘Where’s the President?’ trends as super typhoon batters the Philippines
"How tone deaf and insensitive can you be to post a vlog about your New York trip while Filipinos brace for the impact of super typhoon."
Hong Kong attempts to reconnect with the world by relaxing COVID-19 travel restrictions
Starting September 26, 2022, incoming travelers will no longer be required to undergo mandatory hotel quarantine. Instead, they will have to undergo 3-day medical surveillance, a week of COVID testing, and more.
My journey to learning Ukrainian and the online language tools that took me there
"For me, languages are an important way of making sense of the world and creating connections."
Far from home, alone: Cambodian students share life in Thailand during the pandemic lockdown
"We didn't have relatives here, and we were anxious about what to do if we became infected. We have been far away from home."
Hong Kong press freedom index sinks to new low as media outlets disappear
The closure of Apple Daily, Stand News and Citizen News in 2021 has resulted in a plunge of the city's news freedom index.
Cosplay: the pop-culture phenomenon comes back to Kathmandu
On September 17, 2022, thousands of people attended Otaku Jatra Fall 2022, a Nepali anime and cosplay festival held in Kathmandu, Nepal.
‘We are poorer without her’: Trinbagonian human rights advocate Hazel Brown dies
‘Hazel Brown [was] a catalyst for change, and her work to our country, especially towards the upliftment of our women and girls was unprecedented. A national hero in every right.
Looking at the GotaGoGama protests as a learning curve for Sri Lanka
A month after GotaGoGama came to a close, one wonders how have its ideas taken root in the minds of the thousands who engaged with this space of learning.
Protests mark 50th anniversary of Martial Law declaration in the Philippines
"We are the living testament to the atrocities committed by the Marcoses and their cronies against the Filipino people."