Stories about Elections
Lessons from Indonesia's 2024 election: Social media, censorship, and youth vote
During the elections, generative AI content was used in the campaigns by many parties and there were a variety of attitudes towards its use.
Georgian Dream Party vows to ban opposition if they win parliamentary majority
Speaking at the opening of the new head quarters of the ruling party, it's founder, Bidzina Ivanishvili threatened legal sanctions against opposition figures following the vote.
Azerbaijan clears out critics ahead of COP29
Azerbaijan has had one of the lowest international rankings on citizens’ rights and freedoms. Even so, Azerbaijani President Aliyev has insisted persecutions against civil society are justified.
Venezuelans use AI avatars and Instagram Live to fight back Maduro's repression
After Venezuela's contested presidential elections of July 28, President Maduro has increased repression and surveillance of dissidents. Venezuelans look for ways to break through the censorship.
In Turkey, a street interview lands a citizen in jail
“Insulting the president,” and “inciting hatred and hostility among the public,” are both common charges leveled against government critics in Turkey.
Post-election repression in Venezuela: Authorities target human rights defenders and humanitarian workers
Maduro's government calls for imprisonment of opponents in so-called ‘Operation Tun-Tun.’
In Azerbaijan it isn't just the president for life, but the parliament too
Regardless of whether old faces will remain in the parliament, or will be replaced by their children, the upcoming snap parliamentary vote will have little impact on the country's future.
Mauritania leading the way with freedom of expression in Africa
According to the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index, Mauritania boasts the greatest press freedom ranking on the African continent and in the Arab world.
In Georgia, a series of legal amendments are putting the country's EU aspirations on hold
A foreign agent bill, a ban on gender election quotas, and most recently an LGBTQ+ propaganda bill are just the latest legal amendments proposed by the ruling Georgian Dream party.
Lion or mosquito: The state of the AI debate in Turkey
While elsewhere around the world discussions around AI are widespread and accessible, in Turkey this has not been the case. Not yet anyway.
Pakistan administered Kashmir faces internet shutdown amidst protests
In May 2024, Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir witnessed significant unrest, with daily life profoundly impacted by internet shutdowns and the violent suppression of protests by Pakistani security forces.
Audio deepfakes and AI tricks threaten elections around the world
The rights of the people whose voices and images are being appropriated will need to be more seriously protected.
How gendered disinformation on social media harms Kenyan women seeking political office
"Women often don’t sue because they don’t actually know that the law can protect them ... because of the stigma around it, and the fact that people have normalised cyberbullying ..."
No respite for Georgia's civil society
Last year, when the ruling party announced its decision to adopt the bill it was met with large public outcry as well as international criticism.
Turkey heads to the polls for local elections
All eyes are on the CHP's Ekrem İmamoğlu, who has been in office for five years and AKP's Murat Kurum, the former Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.
How Turkey’s opposition media empowers Erdoğan
President Erdoğan and his government are not the sole players in helping to consolidate the country’s democratic dismemberment. The danger comes from the very circles who despise his regime the most.
Silenced voices: The X and VPN ban after Pakistan’s elections
During the political uncertainty following the elections, the voices of Pakistani citizens have been stifled through Twitter and VPN bans.
‘Dirty Vote’ documentary on alleged election fraud goes viral in Indonesia
The documentary suggested Indonesia's current president, Joko Widodo (nicknamed "Jokowi") used his position to support the candidacy of his defense minister, Prabowo Subianto, who has sparked countless human rights concerns.
Pakistan’s general elections: AI, internet shutdowns and disillusionment
On top of disruptions to the internet, Pakistani political parties have also been using emerging technologies, particularly generative AI and deep fake videos, to influence voter narratives and perceptions.
The Baku Connection: Journalists across the world unite to support Azerbaijan's Abzas Media
Some 40 journalists from 15 media outlets have joined the project since its launch as Abzas Media team who started the investigations, await trial in Baku.
