Stories about Politics
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.
What online narratives tell us about the aftermath of the election in Venezuela
For Venezuelans, one of the main narratives shows that the current situation exceeds the region's traditional dichotomy of left versus right and evidences a sense of overcoming polarization.
Two Hong Kong journalists found guilty of sedition after a 2-year trial
Two former chief editors of the now-defunct Stand News were found guilty of sedition, marking the first such conviction of journalists since the former British colony returned to China in 1997.
From Myanmar to Thailand: Displaced journalists tell their stories
"I still have concerns that police will raid our office and arrest us because we have no permit to operate a news agency."
What are the controversies over Hong Kong’s latest cybersecurity bill?
“The proposals give authorities overly broad powers that could threaten the integrity of service providers and rock confidence in the city’s digital economy.”
Belarusian stand-up comedian who compared Lukasheka to a sparrow is accused of defamation
The comedian is well-known for his outspoken criticism of the Belarusian regime and its security forces, particularly in the wake of the 2020 opposition protests
How online disinformation fuels religious, ethnic and sociopolitical tensions during Bangladesh’s regime change
The month-long student-led mass movement that led to the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was marred not only with violence, but also a surge in mis- and disinformation.
Starlink in Sudan: A lifeline or war facilitator?
Sudan's conflict has crippled telecommunication as both sides leverage and disrupt internet services to gain control.
‘We have nothing except our hearts, and our minds': Vietnamese activist sentenced to five years in prison
“The only thing we did was to act in accordance with our conscience, speak up our thoughts, our desire, our longing.”
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.
Pro-democracy activists in Zimbabwe are being prosecuted for ‘public disorder’
The Kofi Annan Foundation has condemned the harassment, intimidation, and persecution of these human rights and democracy defenders, urging authorities to uphold due process of law.
Malaysia’s social media licensing rule: Online protection or censorship?
"Licensing of social media platforms is unnecessary, high-handed and poses a serious danger to our democratic right to criticise or question the Government."
Turkey blocks access to Instagram
According to the most recent Internet Censorship report produced by the Free Web Turkey platform, in total, “access to 219,059 URLs, including 197,907 domain names were blocked in Turkey in 2023.”
Taiwan struggles to combat Chinese influence in it’s generative AI tools
Taiwan released TAIDE, a Taiwan-centric generative AI bot, in April 2024, to address cultural and political bias and security risks, like industrial espionage, cyber-attacks and propaganda, associated with imported AIs.
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.
Freedom of assembly and freedom of expression curtailed as deadly student protests rock Bangladesh
Violent protests rocked Bangladesh in the past week as peaceful students protests turned violent as vested groups hijacked the movement. As of July 24, 197 people have been killed and thousands injured.
Pakistan's intelligence agencies gain legal cover for surveillance
Despite Supreme Court rulings against illegal surveillance, Pakistan's decision allowing it's spy agency, ISI, to monitor nearly all digital conversations has sparked outrage among political leaders, activists, and legal experts.
Montagnard Indigenous activist arrested in Thailand, resists being extradited to Vietnam
“The case of Y Quynh Bdap clearly illustrates the Vietnamese authorities’ efforts to exercise its long-arm repression against human rights defenders beyond its own border.”
