Stories about Eastern & Central Europe from June, 2017
A Czech Nuclear Plant Held a Swimsuit Contest to Choose Its Next Female Intern
The move quickly faced accusations of sexism: "What a joke! Do we make men pose in swim suits to get hired as interns?"
Satirical Cartoonists Take Aim at Bulgaria's Media Distribution ‘Monopoly’
"When holding this newspaper is a reason for jealousy. There is expression, but no freedom. #Prass-Press"
A Win for Citizen Activism After UNESCO Asks Macedonia to Stop All Construction Projects on Lake Ohrid
Lake Ohrid in Macedonia is the oldest lake in the European continent but the previous Macedonian government wanted the natural heritage area to be converted into a mega resort.
Is the End Near for Telegram in Russia?
Blocking Telegram in Russia would surely decrease its popularity, but there is no guarantee that it will help stifle communication among violent extremist groups.
Romania Seeks to Draw Lines Around Notions of Family
But as shown by the increasing numbers of children with parents working abroad, the lines are already being redrawn by economic pressures.
Transgender Woman Speaks on Chechnya's Persecutions and Life Pre-Kadyrov
"The man ran away. The women called an ambulance. I learned at the hospital that I had two stab wounds in my right lung."
How Balkan Egyptians Are Asserting Their Identity and Fighting Discrimination in Macedonia
"Our community is just a small part of the Balkan cultural mosaic, but nevertheless it provides important contribution to the overall European diversity."
ISIS Attempts to Exploit Balkan War Wounds With Localized Propaganda
The region has a painful legacy of war that has divided people along ethnic and religious lines.
‘Who Has the Most Selfies?’ Council of Bloggers Meets for First Time in Russian Parliament
"I have more than ten thousand [selfies]," firebrand politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky joked. "Who has more than me? No one!"
How Much Money Did Macedonian Railways Make From the 2015-2016 Refugee Crisis?
"There were days when over 10,000 human beings would cross the border, and everyone (except small children) had to buy the tickets...Where are the money gone, you f*cking thieves?!"
Hungary's LEGO Love Affair Began with an Animated Cartoon
Move over, Lego Movie. These short films are literally blockbusters.
Hackers Troll Prosecutor's Office In Advance of Russia Day Protests
On the eve of tomorrow's nationwide anti-corruption protests, hackers broke into the Yaroslavl Region Prosecutor's Office's website and posted a message.
Russian Parliament Moves Ahead With Banning Anonymity on Messenger Apps
The Duma’s Information and Technology Committee has approved controversial draft legislation that would ban anonymity on online messengers, recommending the draft law for consideration in its first reading.
What YouTube Comments on Two Cover Songs Reveal About the Irish and Sámi Languages
The music videos for popular songs translated into minority languages can create spaces for joy, solidarity, and pride—as well as scorn, social divisions, and nationalism.
Russia Might Ditch Its Failed ‘Bloggers’ Registry’
Russian lawmakers in the State Duma have introduced legislation that would abolish the so-called “Bloggers’ Registry” created in 2014, which saddles popular bloggers with special regulations.
Tens of Thousands in Croatia Decry Government Failure to Reform the Education Sector
“We don't want patriarchal upbringing and education”; “Put religious education in driving schools”; “Put sexual education in schools”.
Russia's Biggest Social Network Now Allows Political Ads, But Not For Everyone
Vkontakte, Russia’s most popular social network, has lifted a ban on political advertisements, albeit with strict limitations that are likely to benefit the country’s political establishment.
Digital Guerrillas Bring Down Russian State Censor's Website
How hackers tricked Internet service providers into blocking the state censor's website.
‘Justice for All’ Initiative Seeks Judicial Reforms and an End to High-Level Corruption in Bulgaria
About 2,000 people gathered in the center of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, demanding judicial reforms. Protests were also held in the cities of Plovdiv and Varna.
Inside Russia’s National Liberation Movement With Pavel Merzlikin
Lincoln Pigman translates Pavel Merzlikin's opus on how he joined and escaped Russia’s far-right National Liberation Movement.
Global Voices Seeks New Editor for RuNet Echo
Global Voices seeks a part-time Project Editor to oversee our ongoing coverage of Russia, analyzing the Russian-language Internet, online speech, and social networks.
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