Stories from October, 2019
Albanians angry at EU's failure to open accession talks–but for PM sun ‘still shining’
"This is the biggest mistake that the EU has made over these years, Albania is a reforming country who more than ever needed this decision to be positive."
Mozambican journalists and activists targeted with threats in election year
Human rights organizations documented several cases in which journalists and activists were threatened and subjected to pressures interfering with their work in relation to the elections.
Mexican feminist groups fight for the right to stay safe online
After falling victim to the dissemination of intimate images without her consent, Olimpia Coral Melo Cruz, together with feminist organizations, fights for the adoption of laws to make this behavior a crime.
Nigerian journalist under threat of arrest for exposé of police and prison corruption
The intimidation of journalist 'Fisayo Soyombo exemplifies the precarious state of press freedom and free speech in Nigeria.
How football-mad Cameroon is lifting up the sport in the country
After years of regression and neglect, the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) has decided to put domestic football league business back on track.
Australian newspapers ‘censor’ their front pages in protest against government secrecy laws
"Journalists and whistleblowers in Australia live in fear of criminal charges, police raids and damaging court battles that threaten their professional careers and personal freedom."
Remains of Trinidad and Tobago's First Peoples returned to resting place
The remains of 60 indigenous ancestors were reinterred in a ceremony to properly honour the dead and recognise the importance of the local First Peoples community.
Hong Kong political scientist likens Hongkongers to a stateless nation
'... to balance the interests of China, the US and HK people, the city needs a truly democratic self-government that can represent HK people's interests and understand the complexity of geopolitics.'
Twitter users from North Macedonia fight disappointment with EU non-decision with humor
The date for the long-anticipated start of negotiations for Albania and North Macedonia's membership in the EU didn't materialize, due in large part to a lack of support by France.
Ahead of Tunisia elections, social media was flooded with mis- and disinformation
In the months leading up to the elections, mis- and disinformation spread widely across social media platforms, Facebook in particular.
First Thai female Theravada monk named one of BBC’s 100 most influential women
Dhammananda’s efforts to re-establish the Theravada bhikkhuni (female monastic) lineage in Thailand have been met with resistance from both the laity and monks who are against ordaining women.
Tweeting South Asian art
“Positive representation of Desi artists is incredibly necessary to create a progressive, culturally evolving society.”
Is Trinidad & Tobago's LED lightbulb initiative a bright idea or a shot in the dark?
It may seem like a good idea in theory, but citizens are concerned that the fiscal measure of providing 400,000 households with LED bulbs is not part of a bigger plan.
The Indian state of Odisha publishes online dictionaries in 21 indigenous languages
India is home to over 780 languages and approximately 220-250 languages have died over the last 50 years.
Bulgaria's far-right is attempting to shut down the country's oldest human rights NGO
A member of the European Union since 2007, Bulgaria took a turn to the far-right in 2017 when PM Borisov's center-right party GERB allied itself with a small coalition of nationalist parties.
How Ethiopia's ruling coalition created a playbook for disinformation
Manipulation tactics used by Ethiopia's ruling coalition members against each other in their internal power struggle serve as a blueprint for opposition groups to attack their opponents and the government.
From dictatorship to democracy: All eyes on The Gambia’s upcoming Universal Periodic Review
Ahead of The Gambia's Universal Periodic Review, which issues top the agenda of civil society organizations? "There has been a kind of a media boom after the dictatorship."
How bad is African swine fever for the pork supply crisis in China?
Animal epidemic control is about people, such as whether or not the media could effectively monitor the authorities and inform the public at early stage of the outbreak.
Deadly police raids in Guinea as President Alpha Condé clings to power
Deadly police violence in Guinea as the president attempts to modify the constitution to cling to power. The demonstrations killed six people, including one police officer, and wounded many others.
Journalists faced obstacles covering elections in Mozambique, regional observer said
In a note shared by email on 12 September the Mozambique chapter of the Institute for Media in Southern Africa (MISA) said political party members have prevented journalists from covering events.
India partially lifts communications blackout in Kashmir, internet still down
According to a recent report, Kashmiris are resisting the clampdowns and shutdowns imposed by the Indian Central Government “through satyagraha or non-violent civil disobedience”.