Stories about South Asia from July, 2019
Lack of diverse media ownership leads to censorship in Pakistan says new report
In Pakistan, a small number of companies dominate the country's media landscape in terms of both ownership and audience share.
Bangladeshis use social media to tackle a dengue outbreak
With the lack of initiative and awareness campaign from the government, people are resorting to social media to educate and spread awareness about Dengue fever
Twitter campaign by Pakistani ruling party warns media against anti-state criticism
According to the government, the idea behind the series of tweets was not to ridicule but to ‘educate’ the media. However, the activists feel otherwise amidst troll attacks.
Acute water shortage hits Chennai in India
The lives of 9 million people are affected in southern India, as Chennai, one of the six fastest-growing cities in the world, faces the worst water crisis in its history.
Fake news about “human sacrifices” for the Padma Bridge leads to violence in Bangladesh
Eight people have been detained across Bangladesh for spreading ‘Human heads and blood will be sacrificed for Padma Bridge pillars’ rumors on Facebook.
In Bangladesh, a rickshaw ban for major Dhaka city roads spurs protests and debate
A rickshaw ban on three major roads in Dhaka city saw a huge protest from the rickshaw-pullers and some netizens who use this convenient mean of transport.
‘No VAT on Pad’ protests prompt Bangladesh government to remove proposed tax
Amidst protests, the Bangladesh government decided to scrap the proposed increase of VAT and supplementary duty on the manufacturing materials for locally made sanitary pads.
Why are people debating the proposed car-free day in Colombo?
A car-free-day in Colombo sounds like a good idea from an environmental point of view, but there are other concerns -- and exposure to street harassment tops the list.
‘A dangerous trend': Pakistani journalists critical of the government and military targeted in Twitter campaign
As if threats from the authorities against press freedom in Pakistan were not enough, online nationalist vigilantes are also on the pry against journalists.
In India, opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi steps down after losing elections to Narendra Modi
India's opposition leader, Rahul Gandhi, announced his resignation as the president of the country's oldest party, Indian National Congress, after losing general elections earlier in May.
Interview with former Pakistani president taken off air, journalists and activists decry censorship
A recorded interview of former president Asif Ali Zardari was taken off air shortly after its broadcast began on Geo News television in another incident of censorship in the country.