Undertones is the Civic Media Observatory’s newsletter, created collaboratively by the Observatory’s researchers, coordinating editors, and project writer. In each newsletter, we’ll pick an event, emerging trend, or complex story. For the data nerds, Undertones also offers an entry point into the public datasets that underpin our Observatory work.
Latest posts by Civic Media Observatory
The Kremlin’s tactics to enlist more men to war
Russian authorities are struggling to sell the war to potential soldiers, but an electronic drafting system might change the game
Elections and Power Dynamics in Zimbabwe
Emmerson Mnangagwa was re-elected as president in an election that has been called "blatant and massive fraud" by the opposition.
Undertones: Russia's war strengthens Venezuelan solidarity with Ukraine
Alessandra Soler’s research reveals that for many Venezuelans, ‘Venezuela is also a victim of Russia’
Undertones: Inside Russian influencer chats in Argentina
The conversations happening on these Telegram channels do not have to do with Russian politics - but with Argentina's
Undertones: Brazilians are embracing Russian narratives when convenient
Polarization impacts Brazilians’ perception of the war in Ukraine – in some cases by embracing Russian narratives
Undertones: If on welfare, better learn Dutch and be a man
Low education about AI tech leads to ill-informed narratives about algorithmic bias
Undertones: Turkish citizens rethink what democracy means
With President Erdoğan's reelection, some Turkish citizens are questioning whether voting is enough for democracy
Undertones: Indigenous Bolivian youth question media narratives on fossil fuel extraction
Coping with severe drought, Indigenous communities in the Gran Chaco want local media to also highlight how oil companies impact their communities
Undertones: A look inside Venezuela's extraordinary corruption scandal
Maduro put some of his own people in prison over the graft of billions of dollars. Theories abound as to why.
Undertones: What do onions have to do with the Turkish elections?
President Recep Erdoğan is pitting “identity” versus “reality” in his campaign to stay in power
Undertones: ‘Ukrainians have developed their own vocabulary about the war,’ Ukrainian scholar says
Dr. Tanya Lokot provides insights into the media landscape of Ukraine, outlining its dynamics.
Undertones: Iran's powerful narratives about religion and rebellion
"Religious narratives are exactly why the regime hasn’t been overthrown yet"
Undertones: Zimbabwe's cyberpunk cities fueled by China
Zimbabwe is set to become Africa’s first country with a “smart” capital city built from scratch. But many are wary of Zimbabwe becoming a surveillance state.
Undertones in Turkey: Earthquakes fan the flames of election season
Erdoğan’s leadership may be on the line, with compounding accusations of corruption, economic mismanagement, and the slow and inadequate response to the earthquake.
Undertones in Nicaragua: Where parallel realities coexist
A group of researchers uncovers Nicaragua's two faces
Undertones in Myanmar: Junta, Buddhism, Youth
Researchers from Myanmar expect heightened tension as the country heads towards military-led elections this year.
Undertones in India: Going undercover in Hindu supremacy networks
A group of researchers went undercover in far-right Hindu groups to break their bubble.
Undertones in Russia: War, Propaganda, the West
Researchers share some of the strongest narratives that are circulating in Russia and what we can expect in 2023
Undertones in Afghanistan: ‘Taliban 2.0,’ Women, Resistance
Researchers share some of the strongest narratives that have circulated in Afghanistan this year
Undertones in Pakistan: Military, Women, Blasphemy
Researchers share some of the strongest narratives that have circulated in Pakistan this year
Undertones: Twitter is a double-edged sword for the Global South
Twitter’s slow or sudden collapse may particularly hit countries with high levels of censorship, disinformation, and political instability.
