Stories from September, 2016
Russian Politician Wants Journalists Prosecuted for Sharing Footage of His Ricky Martin Dance
A city councilman in Orlov has filed a police report against local journalists for sharing video footage of him dancing to Ricky Martin’s “Livin la Vida Loca.”
In Tanzania, Expressing Political Opinions on Social Media is Becoming Increasingly Dangerous
Since President John Magufuli won the presidential election in October 2015, 14 people have already being arrested and charged for insulting the president on social media.
Netizen Report: Swiss Citizens Say Yes to Surveillance
Swiss activists lose referendum on privacy, Jordanian authorities ban media coverage of writer’s assassination, and Mexico is spending even more money on surveillance tools than was previously known.
Thais in a Crowded Community Are Playing in the ‘World’s First’ Non-Rectangular Football Field
"This unusual football field has proven that designing outside boundaries can help foster creativity used to develop these useful spaces."
An Iranian-Canadian Academic Is Released, but Iran's Crackdown on Women's Rights Activists Continues
Efforts to increase women's participation in February's parliamentary elections were met with a campaign of repression from hardline institutions in Iran.
In Defense of My Right to Abortion in Macedonia
"Choosing not to bear a child for whom a nurturing environment cannot be guaranteed isn't a denial of responsibility— it's the ultimate assumption of responsibility for oneself and the world."
Pakistani Actors in Bollywood Become Targets of Hate as the India-Pakistan Tussle Escalates
"...culture and art and sport should be without boundaries and borders. These are the two areas which bring people together and encourage understanding of other cultures."
French Diversity Raises an Eyebrow at Nicolas Sarkozy’s ‘Our Ancestors Are the Gauls’ Declaration
"When you're six years old and you read that your ancestors were Gauls, with fair hair and blue eyes... it wasn't only us who giggled, it was the teacher, too.”
Mexico's Attorney General Secretly Purchased Costly Spyware (Again)
The Mexican government, for many years, allocated millions of dollars to acquiring highly intrusive digital spy technology without being transparent on how they were using it.
Facebook Live Video Triggers Presidential Controversy in Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago's President Anthony Carmona held a press conference on September 28 to respond to claims against his office, but many questions remain unanswered.
Kuwait Detains Activist Sara Al-Drees for Insulting the Country's Ruler
The pro-democracy activist has previously served jail time for the same charge.
Khodorkovsky Announces ‘Open Media’ Project To Support Investigative Journalism Startups
Mikhail Khodorkovsky's "Open Media" project will provide as much as 30 million rubles in support to investigative journalism startups.
Luxury ‘Mosquito-Sized’ Flats Are Not Good News for Hong Kong's Poor
"I believe that this is not only a problem related to poverty, but also a significant social problem."
Azerbaijan Holds a Referendum Marred by Violations. Does Anyone Care Anymore?
The changes passed further boost the powers of the hereditary dictatorship overseen by the ruling Aliyev family.
Russian TV Airs ‘Separatist Coca-Cola’ Prank Video As Real News Footage
A practical joke published on YouTube has made it to network television in Russia, where it was aired as real footage of ethnic tension in Ukraine.
Puerto Rican Unity, a Bright Spot in the Darkness of an Archipelago-Wide Blackout
The blackout meant hardship for Puerto Ricans, but it also brought out the best qualities of many.
‘When Your Palms Itch, You Will Receive Money’, and Other African Myths
Africans are sharing common myths they've heard on Twitter under the hashtag #100AfricanMyths.
A Bangladeshi Man Who Knows Hunger All Too Well Provides Affordable Meals for Children in Need
"There was a time when I used to wait in the long lines in front of the temple for a little food," says one of the founders of the venture.
Fidencio Sanchez’s Inspiring Story Highlights the Best of Social Media—and the Plight of Latino Immigrants
"At a time when Donald Trump is calling Mexican immigrants drug dealers and rapists, the image of this hard-working Mexican immigrant has become a defiant symbol that challenges hateful stereotypes."
Vietnamese Land Activist Cấn Thị Thêu Has Braved Violence, Arrest and Prison
"I will live in a way that they will see that their brutality will never threaten our will to fight. We will hold on to our land until the end."
A Lavish Iranian TV Series Revises the History of the 1953 Coup for the Post-Nuclear Deal Age
Iran's 1953 coup d'état is widely depicted as a rupture in the modern history of Iran. It is also a Pandora’s box filled with contested narratives.
