I am a writer and media producer based in Trinidad and Tobago. Follow me on Twitter @JanineMFranco.
Latest posts by Janine Mendes-Franco
17 May 2017
Cybercrime Charges Against Jamaica's Tambourine Army Founder Dropped
Jamaica's Director of Public Prosecutions has dropped all three charges against activist La Toya Nugent, under the country's Cybercrimes Act.
23 March 2017
Is Jamaica Preventing Cybercrime or Cyber Activism? The Tambourine Army Goes to Court
"Making threats through social media is a criminal offence, but making accusations is not. In interpreting the new act, the courts must ensure [...] the right to freedom of expression.”
21 March 2017
Jamaican Activist Arrested Under Cybercrime Law Amid Her Campaign Against Sexual Violence
"If the Tambourine Army believe they have exhausted all avenues of ‘proper’ ways to advocate, then I say do what you must, but please don’t give up the fight."
18 March 2017
With Tambourines in Hand and Led by Survivors, a Powerful Movement Against Sexual Violence in Jamaica Rises
A leader of the movement was recently arrested and charged under the country's cybercrime legislation for naming and shaming men accused of sexual violence.
9 March 2017
Live Streaming at Trinidad & Tobago Carnival Brings Issue of Copyright Infringement Into Focus
"While this live streaming option has been praised in providing unique perspectives for current events and breaking news...[it] has provided more opportunities for infringement of copyright laws."
25 February 2017
Trinidad & Tobago Carnival 2017 Crowns Its King and Queen
Birds, dragons, poetic Midnight Robbers, stilt walkers — the competition for the 2017 King and Queen of Carnival titles in Trinidad and Tobago was fierce. Here's what you missed.
24 February 2017
One Photographer's Stunning Glimpse Into the Beauty of Trinidad & Tobago's Traditional Carnival Masquerade
A spirit of joy sweeps through Trinidad and Tobago on 'Fantastic Friday', the start of the Carnival weekend.
21 February 2017
Trump a Convenient Whipping Boy for Trinidad & Tobago Footballer Dwight Yorke's Visa Issue
A high-profile footballer, a controversial travel ban and an Iranian stamp in a passport all converge to blow a simple visa issue out of proportion.
13 February 2017
Trinidad & Tobago's Carnival 2017 Playlist: Part 2
An opinionated mini-guide to the music that's setting Trinidad and Tobago's Carnival celebrations alight this year, Part Two.
9 February 2017
Trinidad & Tobago's Carnival 2017 Playlist: Part 1
An opinionated mini-guide to the music that's setting Trinidad and Tobago's Carnival celebrations alight this year.
7 February 2017
Trinidad & Tobago's Prime Minister Says Women Should Choose Their Men More Wisely to Avoid Violence
"As per our usual culture. Let's victim-blame, right? She should've chose[n] better? How about he should've been brought up better?"
In Trinidad & Tobago, Clamour for Action After Yet Another Woman Is Murdered
"Our women and girls seem to be the major target of crime and assault. We must do something now!"
3 February 2017
Trinidad & Tobago Says Goodbye to Cherished ‘Virtual’ Historian Angelo Bissessarsingh
"A good soldier has fallen. Inevitable but still very sad. You will be missed by a whole country. History certainly will NOT forget YOU.”
27 January 2017
Better Late Than Never? Trinidad & Tobago Wins 2008 Olympic Gold After Jamaican Athlete Found Guilty of Doping
"It started off as a sprint but ended up as a marathon."
Could Trump Solve Trinidad & Tobago's US Tax Law Stalemate? The Opposition Leader Seems to Hope So.
When Trinidad and Tobago's opposition was in government, it introduced the FATCA bill in parliament; ever since, it has been sidestepping passing the legislation. Enter a letter to Donald Trump.
24 January 2017
From Facebook Live Questions to a Police Investigation, the Curious Case of a Trinidad & Tobago Presidential Housing Allowance
The police have begun investigations into the legality of the president's housing allowance, but in a country where faith in the police service is low, netizens are hoping for transparency.
20 January 2017
With One More Vote, Trinidad and Tobago Could Ban Child Marriage
Child marriage will likely soon be illegal in Trinidad and Tobago, but the country's new legislation isn't likely to end the controversy surrounding the practice.
17 January 2017
Trinidad & Tobago's First Female Murder for 2017 Is a Schoolgirl, Deepening Fears About Gender-Based Violence
"I don't know what worries me more, the unending spate of violent crime fed by an abysmal detection rate or the lack of ideas by law enforcement and government..."
13 January 2017
Trinidad & Tobago Moves to End Child Marriage, Despite Religious Opposition
"This is not a matter of cultural relativism. It is a matter of cruel criminal behaviour."
3 January 2017
Revelation Blows a Hole in Trinidad & Tobago President’s Explanation of Controversial Housing Allowance
"What the president did was remain in housing that was beneath his standards and put the money in his pocket."
