Stories about Digital Activism from April, 2023
The consequences of online discrimination and authoritarianism for minorities
In most countries, three-quarters or more of the targets of online hate speech are members of minority groups, with women being disproportionately targeted.
Uzbekistan adopts groundbreaking law to protect women and children from domestic and sexual violence
Domestic violence was neither a criminal nor an administrative offense. Women simply could not report domestic violence.
‘The internet is full of good intentions’: an interview with Ethan Zuckerman, part two
"You have to look at the examples of people who are trying to create interesting, new ways of building social media. [...]grounded in real, existing communities in the world."
‘Harnessing the internet to create unprecedented global connection’: an interview with Ethan Zuckerman
In 2004, Global Voices founders asked themselves how they could use the internet to build bridges between the Global North and the Global South.
Sri Lanka's proposed anti-terrorism law aims to curb civil protests
There is growing dissent within Sri Lanka against the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), which is intended to replace the existing Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the accompanying bill.
‘History of love in the country of hatred': influencers detained in Russia for LGBTQ+ ‘propaganda’
Apart from widespread censorship, the Russian "anti- LGBT propaganda" law leads to unprecedented pressure on LGBTQ+ people and the organizations helping them.
Russian decolonisation and Eurasia: An imperial legacy? Risks and opportunities for Tatarstan
Public attention to political and economic inequality in Russia’s regions, stirred by the debate on decolonisation, represents a welcome and much-needed development
New study finds internet censorship in Turkmenistan reaches over 122,000 domains
"One of the worst blocking rules in Turkmenistan is that the government blocks every website that ends with w.org, which is Wordpress, used by activists and bloggers."
As deep-sea mining decision still hangs in the balance, young Jamaican activists continue to campaign
Dishearteningly for the campaigners, the talks ended with no clear conclusion, despite strong and growing concerns. The International Seabed Authority Council meets again on July 10, a critical date.
The ‘New Uzbekistan’ budget battle: Democracy in action or a flawed system?
'People are amazed that they can get some small roads paved with asphalt by voting... What if they realise they could even change the governments by voting? Hard to imagine…'
Mozambique: death of rapper and activist mobilise protest and police violence
Azagaia, who died on March 9, was considered one of the biggest names in Hip Hop music made in the Lusophone space.
Hopes for democracy in Kazakhstan fade further as numerous violations mar parliamentary elections
The ‘New Kazakhstan’ vision that aspires to bring fair and competitive elections is yet to be implemented.
