Stories from November, 2019
Belarus 2020: A course to decolonisation?
Belarus is the most Russified post-Soviet country. In recent years, a series of creative civic initiatives to promote the Belarusian language have been launched to change that.
US withdrawal from Syria tests Russian soldiers’ social media use
New footage from Syria shows that despite new information security measures, the Russian military is willing to weaponise its soldiers' social media posts when it is timely to do so.
Hong Kong activists denounce court ban on ‘violent’ content as a threat to internet freedom
Internet Society Hong Kong will file a judicial review against an interim injunction prohibiting anyone from posting, re-posting and aiding the dissemination of information that promotes violence.
Vanuatu journalist says his work permit was revoked for criticizing the government
"People will hem and haw and say all kinds of things, but it boils down to this: I spoke out, and was punished for telling the truth."
Beirut demonstrations honored in a map showing protest as a process of live ‘city-making’
“Maps are important additions to the visual "magma" we're being exposed to because they allow us to summarize, reflect and put things in perspective."
Putin announces plan to ‘replace’ Wikipedia
On November 5, 2019, Russian President Vladimir Putin convened the country’s language council to discuss, as he put it in his opening speech, “the war on the Russian language.” While much of the conversation concerned language norms at home, Putin also underscored the importance of “implementing an effective support system...
Wake-up call or smear campaign? How an ad for sanitary pads is dividing Turkish public opinion
In Turkey, a top sanitary pad brand comes under fire after it releases a feminist ad.
Hong Kong police violence escalates dramatically: unarmed protesters shot with live rounds
Hong Kong protests escalate into city-wide roadblock and strikes, after allegations of gang rape in a police station and the death of a 22-year-old university student.
Netizen Report: Domestic worker abuses in the Gulf expose tech companies’ failures to protect human rights
Tech companies grapple with abuses against domestic workers, Iraqis face another internet shutdown, and Russia gets ready for a 'sovereign internet.'
Tanzania high court upholds ruling to end child marriage despite attempts to repeal it
In October 2019, the Tanzanian High Court upheld the ruling to end child marriage. The ruling is a step toward eliminating harmful practices and ending all forms of discrimination against girls.
Surveys show majority of Hong Kong people have lost trust in the city's police force
The issue of police brutality and abusive use of force has replaced the extradition bill to become the city's major concern.
What the door knockers in Colombia's Cartagena de Indias tell us about the city's history
Add beautiful door knockers to your list of reasons to visit Cartagena de Indias in Colombia.
Chechen leader suggests killing users who ‘insult honour’ online
For several years, human rights defenders have consistently cited Chechnya as one of Russia's most repressive regions, citing widespread torture, disappearances, and a complete intolerance of dissent.
In Afghanistan, childhoods are lost to war
“The opportunity for their talents to flourish is taken away from them. The war prevents them to develop their potential. Future scientists have no chance to emerge.”
Was this Nigerian English language film too English for an Oscar nomination?
Lionheart, Nigeria's first-ever Oscar submission for best international feature film was disqualified by award organizers because it has too much dialogue in English.
Equatorial Guinea vice president's supercars seized to fund development programs
The vice president's seven Ferraris, five Bentleys, a Maserati and an Aston Martin were part of this auction on the 29 September in Geneva.
Twitter was a minefield of false information during the 2019 Nigerian elections
Twitter became a battle ground of ethnocentric disinformation and political propaganda before, during and in the immediate aftermath of the 2019 elections in Nigeria.
In Pakistan, the Azadi March demands an end to Prime Minister Khan's administration
Large crowds, internet shutdowns, support from opposition parties, hatred against Qadianis, waving of Taliban flags, women discouraged to take part are some hallmarks of the ongoing Azadi march/dharna in Islamabad.
Who inspires Turkmenistan's elites?
What can multilingualism tell us about how Turkmenistan's elite see their country's place in the world? And what might they tell the world with their newfound linguistic skills?
Bangladeshi migrant domestic workers are returning from Saudi Arabia with shocking tales of abuse
900 female domestic workers have returned from Saudi Arabia in 2019 accusing their employers of physical and sexual abuse -- more than 100 have died.
‘Hypersensitive’ or ‘horror'? Trinidad church mired in fashion show controversy
"Even though the church might promote the positive aspects of the culture [...] due care must be taken to ensure that participants do not cross the line into negativity and impropriety."