South Sudanese are paying tribute to veteran journalist and politician Alfred Taban, who passed away over the weekend in Kampala, Uganda.
Journalism and Free Speech articles on Democracy Chronicles
A basic necessity in a democratic society, is journalism and free speech play a central role in creating a system of checks and balance, and in distributing power equally between governments, businesses, individuals, and other social entities. Access to verifiable information gathered by independent media sources, which adhere to journalistic standards, can also be of service to ordinary citizens, by empowering them with the tools they need in order to participate in the political process. Also see our articles on Civil Rights.
Jailed Mozambican Journalists Get Bail after 3 Months
Jailed Mozamican journalists Amade Abubacar and Germano Daniel Adriano released on bail, three months after their arrest on groundless accusations.
Even in Sri Lanka, Social Media Blackouts Are Authoritarian
In the wake of the terrible Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka, that government shut down access to Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, and other social media.
US Social Media Firms Scramble to Fight Fake News
As Notre Dame Cathedral burned, posting on Facebook circulated – a grainy video of what appeared to be man in traditional Muslim garb up in cathedral.
In Eritrea, Jailed Journalists Continue to Languish
On February 19, 2009, Yirgalem, a poet and journalist and her colleagues were ordered to an impromptu meeting that led to arrest of about 30 Journalists.
Surge in Myanmar Arrests for Critical Political Speech
Myanmar’s authorities have in recent weeks engaged in a series of arrests of peaceful critics of the army and government, Human Rights Watch said today.
Tunisian Police Switch off Broadcasts of Private TV Station
Tunisian police stormed the offices of a private television station and cut it off the air on Thursday over accusations it had breached broadcasting rules.
Julian Assange Is Gone! What Has He Done?
Julian has been arrested for reporting war crimes, while the criminals walk free. This is an outrage. Our democracy is upside down. We can’t allow our nation to continue down this path.
EU Wary of Fake Online Accounts as Europe Elections Approach
EU is praising Facebook, Google and Twitter for tackling disinformation while urging the social media giants to do more in clamping down on fake accounts.
Bangladesh Stifles Free Expression, Despite Denials
In its annual press freedom index, Reporters Sans Frontières has dropped Bangladesh to 150th out of 180 countries – the lowest ranking it has ever received.