The arrest of an Ahmadi doctor highlights the religious apartheid practised in Pakistan. Zofeen Ebrahim reports.
In Pakistan discussing religion is a punishable offense for Ahmadis
read more
CATEGORY: Religion and Culture
A complete guide to who controls the Russian news media
Today’s surprise announcement out of Russia: The Russian government was shuttering external-facing news agencies Ria Novosti and Voice of Russia. But inside Russia, a growing web of cross ownership colours the way Russians view their neighbours. Olga Khvostunova explains in her report for Interpreter Magazine
Egypt: ‘Poet of the people’ Ahmed Fouad Negm dies
Ahmed Fouad Negm, who became popular for his political stance on the poor and working class, has died at the age of 84
In post-Morsi Egypt journalists toe the military line or self censor
Editorials and articles labelling democracy activists “anarchists and “thugs” signal that most Egyptian media has reverted to its old pre-revolution ways, siding with the military-backed government against the opposition activists. Shahira Amin reports
Croatia’s referendum: Religious institutions, right wing flex their muscles on gay marriage
Croatians voted Sunday to amend the constitution to define marriage as being between a man and a woman. The campaign had been orchestrated by the country’s religious institutions. Barbara Matejčić reports
Egypt moves to lower expectations for new constitution
Public service messages on Egyptian radio stations candidly tell listeners that a new constitution currently being drafted by a fifty-member panel “won’t be the best that the country has had”. Listeners are assured however, that the new charter will not be Egypt’s last. Shahira Amin reports
Roma in Greece: Headlines revert to ancient prejudice
The case of a little girl called Maria, allegedly abducted by a Roma couple on the outskirts of Farsala in central Greece, has filled local and world headlines with prejudice and racist stereotypes. Christos Syllas writes
Inept or clever? Vietnam’s censors keep everyone guessing
Vietnam’s government keeps cultural activities from web comics to concerts under its watchful eye, for sex as much as sedition. Helen Clark reports
Belarus: Cultural censorship as state policy
Keeping tight control over every sphere of social life is the general policy of the Belarusian authorities. This is true not only about politics, economy or media; arts and culture face censorship as well. Zmitser Yanenka reports from Belarus
Bassem Youssef under investigation for “insulting the military”
Anger at the new series of “Egyptian Jon Stewart’s” TV show reflects the country’s deepening divisions, reports Shahira Amin