Stories from October, 2017
In Paraguay, a Community Fights for the Right to Grow Food
The community of Primero de Marzo can't sell their produce in a country where 700,000 people go hungry every day.
Fake News Tries to Link Austria's Chancellor-to-Be and Philanthropist George Soros
A known fake news purveyor published disinformation that Sebastian Kurz expelled Soros' Open Society Foundations from the country. It's not the first time fake news producers connected the two.
Global Voices Summit 2017: Countdown to Sri Lanka!
Over 50 countries will be represented at the Global Voices Summit 2017. Join us in Colombo, Sri Lanka on December 2-3!
The Portuguese People Want Justice for Victims of Fires That Ravaged Their Country This Year
According to the European Forest Fire Information System, around 500,000 hectares of forest have burned in 2017 alone – an area roughly twice the size the district of Lisbon.
Jamaican Prime Minister’s Barefoot Campaigning Inspires Laughs—and Questions About Infrastructure
Despite the showmanship involved in the campaigning in a key constituency in an important Jamaican by-election, netizens wonder whether anything will actually change after the votes are in.
Japan's Largest Diwali Celebration Featured Food, Dancing and a Naan Flatbread Mascot
Thanks to increasing ties between the two countries, the number of Indians living in Japan has increased over the past two decades to at least 28,000.
A Son of Indian Billionaire ‘Resides’ in a Modest Post-Communist Building in Macedonia
Indian billionaire son's residence in Skopje -- and whether or not he actually resides there -- has brought up questions of corrupt ties to the former ruling party of Macedonia.
Kyrgyz Media Outlet's Report Shows President-Elect's Campaign Gained Access to Private Data
"What we have shown is that government servers that process and handle the data of citizens of Kyrgyzstan … was hosting an election campaign website that was collating similar data."
In Trinidad & Tobago, It's No ‘Small Thing’ How People Rallied After Flooding
While most people had "no words" to describe the damage caused by days of flooding, the deputy head of the country's disaster agency called the situation "a small thing".
Kyrgyz People of Central Asia Shocked to Be the Bad Guys in New Japanese ‘Tokusatsu’ Movie
In Japanese, the 'kyr' in 'Kyrgyz' sounds a lot like 'kill'.
Indonesian Law Makes It Easier to Disband Extremist Groups, but Could Undermine Civil Liberties
"There are many ways for the government to combat radicalism and defend social cohesion. Removing meaningful legal protections of freedom of association is not the way to do that."
Netizen Report: Voices of Yemen’s ‘Forgotten War’ Speak Out, Despite Legal Barriers
Global Voices Advocacy's Netizen Report offers an international snapshot of challenges, victories, and emerging trends in Internet rights around the world.
Ex-Refugee Who Slept Rough in Rome Now Runs Several Businesses, Dreams of Rebuilding Afghanistan
"I want to invest in Afghanistan, I have never forgotten my country and I can’t live happily, knowing that my people are suffering."
The Families of Trafficked Boys From India's Arwal Say Police Don't Care
"There were eight of us...They would beat us if we didn’t chop wood and not give us food...They killed four boys. And threw them in the river nearby."
After 113 Days Behind Bars, #Istanbul10 Human Rights Defenders Are Released Pending Trial
“I don’t have anything to regret. I just did my work as a human rights defender,” Idil Eser told the court.
Albanian Prime Minister Insults Journalists After Parliament Votes to Protect Lawmaker From Arrest
The Albanian Journalists' Union condemned "that such behavior and insulting communication is directly related to the dire situation faced by journalism in Albania."
Czech President ‘Jokingly’ Threatens Journalists With an Assault Rifle Replica
Last Friday, Czech president Miloš Zeman brandished a wooden replica of an assault rifle with the inscription 'for journalists' written on its side. Journalists, however, failed to appreciate the 'joke'.
The Latest Threat to Beleaguered Environmental Activists in Honduras Comes from the Law
Protesters have long been victims of extrajudicial assassinations and arbitrary incarcerations. Now they have simply been criminalized.
Tonga Government Accused of Controlling State Media Ahead of Elections
"Government needs to stop using so-called losses as an excuse to apply punitive changes aimed at gagging newsroom and management in a leading public broadcaster of the region."
Kebab, Yes; Revolution, No: Migrants and the Fight for Catalonia
"I was surprised that people sporting dreadlocks, turbans, braids, and other Afrocentric apparel failed to acknowledge the word "migrant" at an event supporting those being persecuted in Catalonia..."
The Battle Over Education in Afghanistan Is Decades Old and Still Only Heating Up
"Education is the antidote to the Taliban: education is tantamount to freeing the minds from the cages of extremism and bigotry."
