With these stories, we aim to pull back the camouflage that Big Tech uses to obscure their connection with oppressive governments, and to highlight cases of technological authoritarianism — and resistance — around the world.

In this interview, writer and journalist Victoria Belim-Frolova shares her observations about Russia’s war on Ukraine and how it forces “a constant process of adaptation,” especially in women-led small businesses.

“What does it mean to be King in a country of reverence sometimes to nothing and other times to everything? It means you dare to be yourself.”

Room to protest is narrowing in Africa, as governments lean on arrests, curfews, and internet blackouts to blunt dissent. When the streets become too dangerous, dissent often migrates online.

Since the 1950s, Europe’s democratic and human rights system has developed through the gradual strengthening of protections for political expression, assembly and dissent.

In this month's edition, we dive deep into a narrative used by leaders in the United States and other countries to delegitimize protests.

"It’s absolutely a wonderful feeling [...] that we can contribute a little to making the industry a bit better.."

In central Sahel's countries military juntas claim to restore popular sovereignty. Political parties are dissolved in all three countries, over a thousand civil society organizations have been suspended.

With this spotlight, we seek to explore the many forms of protest, the tactics states use to delegitimize and suppress them, and the complex relationship between protest and democracy. 

With these stories, we aim to pull back the camouflage that Big Tech uses to obscure their connection with oppressive governments, and to highlight cases of technological authoritarianism — and resistance — around the world.

Protest and Resistance Protest in Bangladesh, Russia, and more; art as resistance; the announcement of our October Spotlight; and more! View this email in your browser Protest and Resistance Dear Reader, The Protest in Democracy Spotlight is in full sw...

“What does it mean to be King in a country of reverence sometimes to nothing and other times to everything? It means you dare to be yourself.”

Room to protest is narrowing in Africa, as governments lean on arrests, curfews, and internet blackouts to blunt dissent. When the streets become too dangerous, dissent often migrates online.

Since the 1950s, Europe’s democratic and human rights system has developed through the gradual strengthening of protections for political expression, assembly and dissent.

In this month's edition, we dive deep into a narrative used by leaders in the United States and other countries to delegitimize protests.

Since the 1950s, Europe’s democratic and human rights system has developed through the gradual strengthening of protections for political expression, assembly and dissent.

With this spotlight, we seek to explore the many forms of protest, the tactics states use to delegitimize and suppress them, and the complex relationship between protest and democracy.

With this spotlight, we seek to explore the many forms of protest, the tactics states use to delegitimize and suppress them, and the complex relationship between protest and democracy.

The growth of online activism has given different colors in the movement agendas. There is a debate on how effective it is, and how it could complement each other.

“When our journalism produces positive outcomes, the sense of fulfilment is difficult to compare with anything else.”

“What does it mean to be King in a country of reverence sometimes to nothing and other times to everything? It means you dare to be yourself.”

The protests strengthened the political consciousness of some young Nigerians and encouraged greater participation in elections, governance and activism. For others, the experience produced fear, distrust and disillusionment.

From early August and continuing through September, dozens of informal vendors who used to ply their trade have been protesting in the hope of getting the Haitian government’s support.

Mob violence is rising in Bangladesh as unchecked impunity, weak law enforcement, and social media instigations drive lethal crowd attacks, challenging institutional responses, justice delivery, and overall state accountability.

From early August and continuing through September, dozens of informal vendors who used to ply their trade have been protesting in the hope of getting the Haitian government’s support.

In this interview, writer and journalist Victoria Belim-Frolova shares her observations about Russia’s war on Ukraine and how it forces “a constant process of adaptation,” especially in women-led small businesses.

Protests over jobs, development and dignity are spreading across Tunisia, raising questions about growing links between social and political mobilisations.

In Russia, authorities are leveraging traditional medieval religious art of the once-independent city-state of Pskov to justify its invasion of Ukraine.

“If you’re a bad student in your school, maybe it’s because you’re rebellious. Maybe it’s because you’re brave enough to question your teacher or challenge their power.“

From early August and continuing through September, dozens of informal vendors who used to ply their trade have been protesting in the hope of getting the Haitian government’s support.

Bangladesh’s 2024 uprising toppled a government, but two years later, reforms to police, judiciary, cyber laws, and state institutions remain contested, incomplete, and debated, leaving citizens asking whether real change occurred.

The protests strengthened the political consciousness of some young Nigerians and encouraged greater participation in elections, governance and activism. For others, the experience produced fear, distrust and disillusionment.

Identifying a security hot spot is only one part of understanding a place, [which] may also be a centre of employment, have weak infrastructure, strong local organisations, or youth vulnerabilities.

GV observed Japanese peace activism shifting from an ideological, often confrontational and hierarchical approach among the older generation to a more individualised, accessible, pop-style approach among young people.

With these stories, we aim to pull back the camouflage that Big Tech uses to obscure their connection with oppressive governments, and to highlight cases of technological authoritarianism — and resistance — around the world.

Protest and Resistance Protest in Bangladesh, Russia, and more; art as resistance; the announcement of our October Spotlight; and more! View this email in your browser Protest and Resistance Dear Reader, The Protest in Democracy Spotlight is in full sw...

“When our journalism produces positive outcomes, the sense of fulfilment is difficult to compare with anything else.”

The growth of online activism has given different colors in the movement agendas. There is a debate on how effective it is, and how it could complement each other.

The challenge is not simply whether an entrenched authoritarian government can be defeated, but whether almost two years of a student-led mobilisation can be translated into electoral power.

Since Bangladesh’s 2024 political transition, India-Bangladesh border “push-ins” have intensified, with thousands deported to Bangladesh outside agreed verification and repatriation procedures and ignoring disputed nationality claims.

Too often, resources and meaning flow outward from the community that created them and enrich outsiders — often the same groups that have been oppressing them for centuries.

Identifying a security hot spot is only one part of understanding a place, [which] may also be a centre of employment, have weak infrastructure, strong local organisations, or youth vulnerabilities.

GV observed Japanese peace activism shifting from an ideological, often confrontational and hierarchical approach among the older generation to a more individualised, accessible, pop-style approach among young people.

With this spotlight, we seek to explore the many forms of protest, the tactics states use to delegitimize and suppress them, and the complex relationship between protest and democracy. 

Identifying a security hot spot is only one part of understanding a place, [which] may also be a centre of employment, have weak infrastructure, strong local organisations, or youth vulnerabilities.

Deep-sea mining may generate sediment plumes, destroy habitats and reduce the biodiversity that cascades through the food chain, placing fisherfolk in the middle of an uncertain ocean economy.

Thousands of Bangladeshis travelled to Cambodia for promised jobs, only to encounter Technology-facilitated trafficking and cyber-scamming networks, with 98 percent reportedly failing to receive the work they were promised.

Protests over jobs, development and dignity are spreading across Tunisia, raising questions about growing links between social and political mobilisations.