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Striking the wrong notes
Music can be used to both trigger emotional responses and sway public opinion, which has led some governments to censor music on the basis of political, religious, or ethical disagreements.
Latest stories
The ‘immoral’ 42 songs banned from Indonesia's daytime radio
Songs by Bruno Mars, Jay-Z, Cardi B, and more, were banned from Indonesian radio between 3 am and 10 pm. The songs were considered immoral because they mentioned sexuality, alcohol, or vices.
Arrest of activist Khurram Parvez shows ‘a new hostility towards civil society in Kashmir’
South Asia22 hours agoArrested and charged under the much-criticized Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for “terror-funding” and “conspiracy,” Khurram’ Parvez's internationally acclaimed body of work is being tarnished by allegations of terrorism.
Myanmar’s ‘silent strike’ delivers loud condemnation of continuing military rule
"The people showed that the revolution and popular defiance of the military council have not lost momentum."
St Lucia announces it will host a ‘vaxxed’ Carnival in 2022, but is it realistic?
Caribbean1 day ago"We have to ensure that we preserve the health of St. Lucia while creating an economic activity for our people to benefit from.”
Namibian activists maximize social media to expose unlawful jurisdiction and homophobic legislature
Sub-Saharan Africa1 day agoLGBTQ+ and feminist activists in Namibia use social media as a tool to gain international attention and put pressure on their government to ensure equal rights.
Agroecology, Nepal’s answer to climate change
South Asia2 days agoManaging land, under the auspices of agroecology, entails revitalising a different kind of relationship with the soil. It starts with understanding the principles of ecology and how nature works.
In photos: Could the mountains of the Caribbean be an opportunity for sustainable tourism?
"Sustainable tourism in mountains can contribute to creating additional and alternative livelihood options and promoting poverty alleviation, social inclusion, as well as landscape and biodiversity conservation."
Zagreb protests: Croatians divided around COVID-19 certificates
Eastern & Central Europe4 days agoA series of protests erupted in Croatia after its government mandated certificates to show public sector employees are vaccinated, have recovered from COVID-19 or have tested negative.
International media watchdog digs into the ‘great leap backwards’ of journalism in China
East Asia5 days agoReporters Without Borders' report presents an extensive account of how China has repressed freedom of expression and the right to information in recent years.
Push to stop it: Anti-harassment buttons appear in Uzbekistan's buses
NGO Sarpa and Israeli aid agency Mashav teamed up with Tashkent's bus company to install an anti-harassment button on board.
How new generations are reinventing antifascism in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Eastern & Central Europe5 days ago"How can we truly recognize manifestations of fascism and antifascism in societies that are free from direct physical conflict, where the definition of the 'other side' is becoming progressively more blurry ... ?"
‘Unmatched’ and ‘irreplaceable': Jamaica’s iconic bassist, Robbie Shakespeare, has died
"Rest in Power, Robbie Shakespeare. No one— I mean no one—held it down like you did."
How ‘cyber troops’ influence Indonesia's politics, policies, and media landscape
"For citizens, in general, I think people need to learn more — to be more skeptical with what is viral on social media." - Indonesian digital media researcher Wijayanto.
The Uranw of Nepal seek official recognition of their Karma Festival
The Indigenous Uranw of Nepal have been lobbying for the Karma Puja to be recognized nationally so that community members can attend a festival of social cohesion and community bonding.
Russia blocks access to Tor browser website
Eastern & Central Europe6 days agoThe push for greater online censorship is part of the country's "sovereign internet" strategy which seeks to cement centralised state control over internet infrastructure and online spaces.
Uganda holds regional e-conference on unpaid care work
The event gave women affected by COVID-19 a platform to share their experiences on existing inequalities resulting from unpaid care work and to encourage public discourse on the topic.
High infection, low vaccination—could mandatory COVID-19 vaccines be the answer for Caribbean nations?
Caribbean7 days ago"Having demonstrated that mandatory vaccination is constitutionally appropriate given the leeway granted in favour of public health imperatives, [...] employers could justify a requirement in a pandemic context."
Changes on the Global Voices board
Akwe Amosu joins the Global Voices board as James Deane departs, with Mary Kay Magistad assuming the role of board chair.
The US government confirms diplomatic boycott of 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics
The US government announced a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, citing concern over “egregious human rights abuses and atrocities in Xinjiang.” More countries will likely follow.
Undertones: A deep-dive into Indian hyper-nationalism
Any critique of the government, the armed forces, or the Hindu religion and its socio-political project, known as Hindutva, is labeled “sedition,” and is treated as treason for attacking the sovereignty of India.
Arrest of activist Khurram Parvez shows ‘a new hostility towards civil society in Kashmir’
Arrested and charged under the much-criticized Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for “terror-funding” and “conspiracy,” Khurram’ Parvez's internationally acclaimed body of work is being tarnished by allegations of terrorism.
China’s Belt & Road Initiative: Deal or steal?
Our latest Civic Media Observatory investigation examines the ways China is advancing its interests as a global power and projecting its ambitions in other countries. Chinese diplomacy took a key turn in 2013 when it announced the strategy now known as the Belt and Road Initiative, which is widely considered the cornerstone of Chinese foreign policy. Our investigation looks at the intersection of Chinese technology transfer, soft power, communications technology buildout, and public information.
Russian filmmaker Sergei Solovyov dies at 77
Solovyov is best known for films portraying the turbulent transformations in Russian and Soviet society that occurred during the late 1980s during the perestroika and glasnost era.
