Stories from December, 2020
Short videos by young Cambodians promote fight against COVID-19 disinformation
The videos discuss the role of young internet users in combatting disinformation about the coronavirus pandemic.
In Belarus, Lukashenka's rule endures 2020 — can it survive 2021?
Belarus faces a stalemate: protesters cannot take power by force, the authorities cannot disperse them by force. But in the long term, Alyaksandr Lukashenka's rule looks precarious.
New tax on mobile devices threatens digital inclusion in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Critics fear the new tax--the Mobile Device Registry--will reverse the trend of growth in mobile device usage and threaten freedom of expression in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
COVID Christmas: Was it truly like no other?
For our world and the faiths we have, hasn't this Christmas been like all others—painful, often sordid, sometimes deadly?
Will poetry be enough to get Czechs to embrace anti COVID-19 vaccination?
The Czech government has launched a new communication campaign aimed at overcoming the population's fear or suspicion of vaccination.
UN Security Council ends reporting on Burundi, but human rights monitors remain concerned
UN Security Council ended specific reporting on Burundi after several months of a new government, but human rights monitors remain concerned.
Saudi court slams internationally criticized jail term for iconic female activist
Hathloul, a symbol of Saudi political prisoners, was sentenced after a three-year pre-trial detention and a rushed trial that overlooked her claim of being tortured, drawing global outcry against Riyadh.
Rwandan governance during the pandemic: A time for introspection
Months after the implementation of the lockdown order, the Rwandan government has been mute over citizens' demand for food relief support. Is it time to reconsider its governance model?
‘How do you live here?’ A local podcaster takes on misconceptions about eastern Ukraine
In Slavyansk, one podcaster is attempting to refocus outsiders' perspectives of eastern Ukraine — for Nika Perepelitsa, it is not simply the site of tragedies, but also of diverse cultural possibilities.
Iconic House of Wonders collapse leaves Zanzibaris wondering about fate of cultural heritage
The House of Wonders collapse left many wondering about the fate of Zanzibar's cultural heritage.
Shooting of mother and son highlights institutionalized police violence in the Philippines
"This is what happens when we have leaders who consent and encourage such behavior from policemen."
Online backlash follows blurring of Christmas imagery on popular Chinese TV show
A Chinese online TV outlet had to pixelate its variety show's Christmas setting as the political campaign to boycott foreign festivals gained momentum.
2020 round-up: How the tragedy of COVID-19 became a success story for the China model
The year 2020 began with the outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan. Throughout the year, COVID-19 was the most discussed topic on the Chinese social media.
From COVID-19 to Caribbean literature, this is what the region looked like in 2020
COVID-19 was at the top of the news cycle this year. In the Caribbean, the pandemic exacerbated already existing issues, but also allowed regional netizens to reimagine their collective future.
Is the honeymoon over for Beijing and Hong Kong's Carrie Lam?
Hong Kong’s pro-Beijing camp is revolting against Chief Executive Carrie Lam, using the city’s failure to contain the COVID-19 outbreak as the pretext.
European NGO uncovers 15-year Indian disinformation campaign
The explosive report by a Brussels-based Non-Governmental Organisation has unleashed a new war of narratives between India and Pakistan.
Why Macron’s tweet on the Serbian Patriarch's death angered so many people in the Balkans
Why would someone who claimed to defend secular, enlightened values invest France's institutional political capital with a figure who symbolized everything that is backward and racist about Serbian society?
Crackdown against journalist and activists mars Human Rights Day in the Philippines
"We were forced to turn our backs for one hour while evidence was being planted."
New height of Mount Everest announced just as Nepal reopens its tourism sector
The world's highest mountain has grown by 86 centimeters, according to a survey carried out jointly by Nepal and China.
COVID-19 infects Japan's ‘kanji of the year’
密 (mitsu), in some cases, means "close, crowded, or confined."
Uruguay’s new government is prioritising security, but is it at the cost of free speech?
The Urgent Consideration Law marks a turning point in Uruguay's changing political landscape.
