• Myat Moe Thu: Reporting from Myanmar's Conflict Zones

  Myat Moe Thu is a freelance journalist reporting from within Myanmar's conflict zones, specifically between Shan and Kayah (Karenni) States. A 2026 recipient of the Exile Hub’s Critical Voices Fellowship, she documents the impacts of the post-2021 coup civil war. Her work emphasizes reporting ethics, civilian dignity, and truth-telling as a form of resistance against enforced silence. Professional Challenges Reporting occurs without standard protective equipment or institutional safety guarantees. Women in the field face unique barriers, including cultural biases that deem war reporting unsuitable for women and practical challenges like limited privacy and travel complications. Maintaining trust is difficult; journalists are often misunderstood or unfairly conflated with intelligence agents by both local communities and family members. The Realities of Conflict Reporting Myat Moe Thu transitioned from a marketing career to journalism, covering armed conflict long before the 2021 coup. She operates primarily within "liberated territories" and remains inside the country to bear witness to events like aerial bombardments in civilian areas. The work is characterized by high levels of mental and emotional exhaustion, with limited access to support resources for journalists inside the conflict zones. She defines the necessity of her work not by the absence of fear, but by a commitment to the truth and the absence of regret regarding her professional choices.

  Global Voices · Jun 17, 2026

  

• The Illusion of Online Public Opinion in Lebanon's Political Conflicts

  Online sentiment on social media frequently misrepresents broader public opinion, as a tiny minority of hyper-active users dominates the narrative. Analysis of posts regarding Hezbollah on X shows the top 1 percent of users account for over 61 percent of total engagement. Journalists and researchers should treat viral trends and hashtags with caution, as they often reflect platform-specific amplification rather than actual public consensus. Research Data Analysis Analysis of 15,767 Arabic-language posts about Hezbollah on X (March 1–8, 2026) involving 8,148 users reveals: Top 1% of users capture 61.5% of total engagement (likes, reposts, replies). Top 5% of users capture 90.6% of engagement. Top 10% of users capture 96.2% of engagement. Media accounts, while representing only 10.4% of the user base, comprise 29.6% of the most engaged users and average 41 interactions per post, compared to 31 for non-media users. Distorting Public Perception Research by Shannon McGregor highlights that journalists often rely on social media trends as proxies for public opinion, despite those trends being driven by unrepresentative groups. Constant exposure to repetitive messages from a narrow segment creates an illusion of broad consensus. Visibility bias creates a feedback loop: content that gains early traction is amplified further, making specific narratives appear more mainstream than they are. Implications Social media data remains useful for tracking how narratives form, but the analytical focus must shift from 'What is everyone saying?' to 'Who is being seen and heard—and why?' In high-stakes conflict contexts like Lebanon, interpreting highly visible online reactions as public sentiment can dangerously misinterpret the actual state of national opinion.

  Global Voices · May 20, 2026

  

• Reporting When the Internet Goes Dark: How Journalists Find Workarounds

  Governments increasingly use internet shutdowns—termed "digital curfews" or "kill switches"—as tools for social control, especially during conflicts and protests. Access Now documented nearly 2,000 shutdowns between 2016 and 2024, noting a sharp increase since 2020. Shutdowns prevent the verification of information, block the movement of photos and videos, and disrupt basic communication for journalists and activists. The Impact of Shutdowns Iran: Following protests starting in late 2025, authorities imposed massive blackouts. Iranian activist Mehdi Mahmoudian noted that the loss of access prevented him from verifying human rights violations or even communicating with family. India: Jammu and Kashmir experienced a 552-day blackout (2019–2021) under the guise of national security, with analysts noting that recent blanket shutdowns often bypass legal limitations. Ethiopia: The Tigray region endured a two-year internet cutoff, which journalist Maya Misikir described as a significant barrier to obtaining visual evidence and coordinating news gathering. Mechanisms of Control Throttling: Authorities intentionally slow internet speeds to 2G levels or lower, rendering connectivity virtually unusable for modern journalism. Targeted Censorship: Organizations like OONI track the specific blocking of apps, social media, and VPNs, which often spikes during elections or political unrest. Consequences: Beyond harming journalists, these shutdowns disrupt access to food, medicine, and emergency information, often serving as a precursor to state-led violence or atrocities.

  Global Voices · May 19, 2026

  

• Anatomy of a Coverage: The Making of Global Voices Spotlight

  Global Voices Spotlight is an experimental editorial project designed to prioritize depth, nuance, and diverse perspectives over rapid news cycles. The initiative focuses on a single monthly theme explored by contributors across the Global Majority, ensuring coverage is collaborative and cross-disciplinary. The project aims to bridge the gap in international media where stories from the Global South are often simplified or filtered through Western lenses. Collaborative Editorial Process Topics are chosen based on urgency and their potential to resonate globally. Editorial, translation, and social media teams collaborate from the outset to define the scope and framing of each issue. The format avoids isolated reporting, instead creating a multi-faceted dialogue that acknowledges complex, often contradictory realities. Platform Strategy and Visual Identity Global Voices treats social media as a core storytelling space rather than just a distribution channel. Collaborative posts and a consistent graphic identity are used to unify the narrative, encourage deeper reader engagement, and make complex topics more accessible. Challenges and Future Outlook Coordination across multiple time zones, languages, and cultural contexts presents significant operational hurdles. The project remains an evolving prototype, with ongoing iterations to balance editorial coherence with diverse perspectives and long-term sustainability. Future plans include expanding into new formats such as podcasts, narrative analysis, and webinars supported by reader fundraising.

  Global Voices · May 16, 2026

  

• Myanmar Journalists: A Struggle for Truth Across Borders and Frontlines

  Myanmar journalists face a daily struggle between survival and their professional responsibility following the 2021 coup, with many forced into exile while others remain to witness unfolding events. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) identify Myanmar as one of the world's most dangerous environments for media, characterized by arrests and the systematic dismantling of independent press. The "Only My Voice Left" campaign by ExileHub highlights the testimonies of these media professionals, framing their stories as acts of resistance against silence. Journalism from Exile Forced to flee for their lives, journalists operate in fragmented, precarious conditions using encrypted communications and underground networks. Reporting from abroad involves navigating distance, constant security threats, and a lack of traditional newsroom infrastructure, relying instead on laptops, cameras, and unstable internet connections. Reporting on the Frontlines Journalists like Htet remain inside active conflict zones to document realities that would otherwise disappear, facing immediate risks such as violence and surveillance. Proximity provides direct access to critical truths that remote reporting cannot capture, despite the extreme constraints on movement and communication. Collaborative Resilience A distributed newsroom model has emerged where in-country journalists provide firsthand accounts while those in exile verify and amplify these stories for global audiences. Despite facing personal guilt, financial instability, and uncertain legal status, reporters remain committed to their work, emphasizing that society loses truth, accountability, and justice when the press is silenced. ExileHub calls for enhanced protection and sustained support for both exiled and in-country journalists to ensure that information channels remain open.

  Global Voices · May 12, 2026

  

• Brazil Launches Investigation into Google’s Generative AI Impact on Journalism

  Brazil's Administrative Council for Economic Defense (Cade) has opened an administrative process to investigate Google over its generative AI 'AI Overviews' and the impact on the news industry. The inquiry focuses on how automated summaries may reduce traffic, engagement, and monetization for journalistic platforms. Key investigation areas include the distinction between traditional snippets and AI summaries, the 'zero-click' phenomenon, and potential exploitative abuse of market dominance. Scope of the Investigation Cade will examine whether Google's use of third-party content without proportional compensation constitutes economic value extraction. The council aims to quantify the value Google retains from digital advertising compared to the editorial costs borne by news organizations. Google is required to disclose all internal tests related to AI product performance, not just selective findings. Industry and Regulator Perspectives Acting President Diogo Thomson and Commissioner Camila Cabral Pires Alves highlighted structural dependence concerns, noting that media outlets rely on search engines for audience reach. Journalist associations, including Ajor and the National Newspapers' Association (ANJ), welcomed the probe as essential for the sustainability of quality information and democratic discourse. Google maintains that the decision reflects a misunderstanding of its products, arguing that AI Overviews create discovery opportunities and that the company continues to drive billions of clicks to websites. Commissioner Gustavo Augusto Freitas de Lima, who previously recommended archiving the case, has shifted his stance to support the investigation due to the current AI landscape.

  Global Voices · May 11, 2026

  

• Pakistani Journalist Takes Action Against Online Harassment

  Pakistani journalist Gharida Farooqi filed a formal complaint with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) after being targeted by a coordinated online harassment campaign. Harassers used morphed images, AI-generated content, and derogatory comments to target Farooqi over her clothing choice during a media event in Islamabad. The NCCIA has initiated arrests, including a suspect from Chiniot, and is continuing raids to apprehend others involved in the digital violence. Context of Harassment The abuse began on April 11, 2026, while media outlets covered peace talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad. Users on social media circulated her photos, often comparing her attire to that of an Iranian journalist in a burqa to criticize the moral standards of Pakistani society. Critics and some journalists participated in the derogatory discourse, labeling the event as "vulgar" or "shameless." Broader Implications for Women in Media Women journalists in Pakistan frequently face technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), including doxxing, character assassination, and death threats. A 2026 UN Women report indicates that 45 percent of female journalists self-censor on social media to avoid abuse. The Digital Rights Foundation reported that women accounted for 47 of the 88 journalists seeking assistance from their security helpline in 2025. Institutional and Legal Landscape While the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) was enacted in 2016 to curb cyberterrorism and protect citizens, critics argue it is often weaponized against activists and journalists. Advocates like Lubna Jarrar, of the Karachi Union of Journalists, note that the focus on women's appearance often overshadows their professional contributions and creates a double standard compared to their male colleagues.

  Global Voices · May 9, 2026

  

• Government attacks on mainstream media undermine the credibility of democracy in Botswana

  Botswana's President Duma Boko has publicly attacked the media, labeling 90 percent of outlets as spreaders of fake news, raising concerns about the future of press freedom. Private media in the country is struggling with under-resourced newsrooms, low morale, and pervasive self-censorship due to fear of harassment and lawsuits. A recent incident involving the demotion of state broadcaster RB1 journalist Letumile Montsosa—following reports of government interference in a program—highlights the increasing pressure on both public and private media. The State of the Media While Botswana has historically been a beacon of democratic stability, recent administrations have increasingly utilized public attacks and rebuttals to undermine press credibility. Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Botswana chapter chairperson Thomas Nkhoma warns that the viability of independent journalism is at a critical crossroads due to a hostile operating environment. Journalists are leaving the industry for international or corporate roles, driven by poor pay and lack of institutional support. Media as a Democratic Pillar Kevin Casas Zamora, Secretary General of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), emphasizes that protecting a free press is essential for fighting corruption and maintaining democratic health. Experts argue that media accountability should be driven by professional standards and peer regulation rather than government control. Andrew Bummel, Executive Director of Democracy without Borders, suggests that fostering media literacy and critical thinking among the public is the most effective "vaccine" against disinformation, urging the government to prioritize enabling laws rather than stifling independent reporting.

  Global Voices · Mar 9, 2026

  

• Cambodian Journalist Arrested After Reporting on Online Scam Center

  Journalist Hem Vanna, publisher of HVNN TV Online, was arrested on February 3 for reporting on a suspected online scam compound in Cambodia. Authorities charged Vanna under Articles 301 and 495 of the penal code for allegedly defaming an institution and inciting public unrest. International media watchdogs and human rights organizations have condemned the arrest as a retaliatory move to silence critical coverage of organized crime. The Context of Scam Centers Scam compounds in Cambodia are operated by organized crime networks that trap migrant workers via false job promises, forcing them into labor under threat of violence. Despite government efforts to crack down on these centers since 2021, persistent allegations suggest collusion between scam syndicates and local elites. Vanna’s report focused on a compound located near a police station in Poipet, which he stated was 100 meters away, contradicting official claims of a 700-meter distance. Legal Challenges and Press Freedom Vanna faces up to three years in prison if convicted on charges related to intercepting private communications and incitement. Human rights groups, including Licadho, argue that authorities are weaponizing vague criminal laws to suppress the press rather than utilizing proper legal channels for grievances. Data shows a worrying trend: five journalists were arrested in 2025, and six more have been charged in the last two months alone, signaling a narrowing space for press freedom. Global Reaction The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) have urged the government to focus on dismantling cybercrime instead of targeting those who expose it. Media analysts warn that the government's apparent hostility toward scrutiny casts doubt on the integrity of their anti-scam campaign. On February 11, the human rights group ADHOC filed an intervention letter with the Banteay Meanchey Provincial Court, calling for Vanna’s release.

  Global Voices · Feb 25, 2026

  

• Impunity and Unsolved Crimes Against Journalists Kill Public Trust

  Journalists face a multi-dimensional threat landscape including legal harassment, digital surveillance, and physical violence. Roughly 90 percent of murders of journalists worldwide go unpunished, fostering a cycle of self-censorship and declining institutional trust. Online disinformation often serves as a precursor to physical violence by delegitimizing journalists as "combatants" or "traitors." Digital hygiene and ongoing reporting are essential survival strategies for media workers under pressure. Threats and Vulnerabilities Contextual Risks: Threats vary by region and political climate. Democracies often see Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) used to drain resources, while authoritarian regimes rely on surveillance and direct violence. Gendered Risks: Women journalists face specific, disproportionate attacks including sexualized harassment and misogynistic violence, which are frequently underestimated. Digital Safety Recommendations Mobile Hygiene: Treat smartphones as highly sensitive equipment. Avoid unknown charging stations or laptops, minimize third-party app installations, and exercise extreme caution with suspicious links. Tooling: Utilize reputable VPNs and password managers to mitigate risk. Organizations like Free Press Unlimited (FPU) recommend resources like the Totem Project for self-paced digital security training. Combating Impunity Barriers to Justice: The global 90 percent impunity rate for journalist murders persists due to a lack of political will and insufficient forensic/investigative capacity, as observed in cases in Greece and Pakistan. Systemic Impact: Unsolved crimes weaken the judiciary and democratic stability by signaling that silencing the press carries no consequence. Responding to Disinformation Disinformation as Escalation: Smear campaigns that frame journalists as "enemies" or "combatants" create the conditions for state or non-state actors to justify physical detention or attacks. Support Mechanisms: Programs like FPU’s "Reporters Respond" provide emergency financial and legal aid. The most effective way to combat smear campaigns is through continued, independent reporting supported by investigative analysis to expose the origins of false narratives.

  Global Voices · Feb 18, 2026

  

• How AI Is Reshaping Local Journalism

  Artificial Intelligence presents both significant risks and strategic opportunities for local news organizations struggling with declining resources and "news deserts." While AI can enhance operational efficiency by automating routine tasks, it threatens to erode audience trust if used for generic, automated content that lacks local relevance. Industry-wide collaboration and human oversight are essential for ensuring AI supports, rather than replaces, public-interest journalism. Benefits and Applications Operational Efficiency: Newsrooms are using AI to transcribe interviews, summarize documents, produce sports results, create metadata, and generate advertising copy or social posts. Civic Reporting: AI tools can assist in monitoring local government and judicial systems by scanning vast quantities of public records and court documents to identify leads for human journalists. Streamlining Justice: Pilot programs, such as those at the Coroners Court of Victoria, explore AI's role in reviewing large document sets to improve the transparency and accessibility of court proceedings. Risks and Challenges Loss of Trust: Unauthorized use of AI-generated hosts or content has led to backlash and credibility crises, such as the wrongful naming of a journalist in an incident report. Erosion of Local Identity: Excessive reliance on syndicated, robotic content risks diluting the unique geographic focus that makes local news valuable. Legal and Ethical Hurdles: Local organizations often lack the legal resources and bargaining power to address copyright disputes with major tech platforms or to develop comprehensive internal AI policies. Strategic Recommendations Human Oversight: AI must remain a support tool; human judgment is irreplaceable for sensitive reporting, such as covering individuals at personal low points or challenging reporting restrictions. Cross-Sector Collaboration: Due to limited internal capacity, local media should prioritize industry-wide cooperative models to experiment with and deploy AI safely. Policy Intervention: Governments should leverage funding mechanisms to ensure that institutional support is directed toward enhancing the quality and diversity of local content rather than exacerbating existing declines.

  360info · Dec 14, 2025

  

• Behind the Growing Anti-Immigrant Discourse Around Stateless Rohingya in India

  Anti-immigrant misinformation targeting the roughly 40,000 Rohingya refugees in India is being weaponized via social media to frame them as an existential security threat. False narratives conflate Rohingya identity with broader anti-Muslim and anti-Bangladeshi anxieties, despite being debunked repeatedly by fact-checkers. These digital disinformation campaigns have direct real-world consequences, including mob violence, lynchings, and systemic discrimination. Common Fabrications 2018 WhatsApp/Facebook videos: False claims that Rohingya were killing and consuming Hindus, often debunked as unrelated footage or misidentified rituals (e.g., Tibetan sky burials). 2019 Child-lifting rumors: Viral messages claiming armed Rohingya were kidnapping teenagers led to over 30 mob lynching deaths across India between 2017 and 2019. 2020 communal tension: Videos of violence originating from Bangladesh were falsely attributed to Rohingya refugees in West Bengal to incite religious animosity. Drivers of Misinformation The "Bangladeshi Rohingya" framing: This narrative denies the group's Myanmar origins and links them to long-standing fears of illegal Bangladeshi immigration, transforming a small refugee population into an imaginary threat of 50 million infiltrators. Political incentives: Following the 2019 Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), political discourse has increasingly depicted Muslim refugees as threats to national security to appeal to Hindu nationalist bases. Demographic anxiety: Conspiracy theories like "demographic jihad" are used to suggest organized Muslim infiltration, ignoring data that shows a decline in Muslim population growth rates. Impact of Digital Voicelessness As a stateless population lacking political representation and media access, Rohingya refugees are "perfect victims" for digital persecution. The inability to defend themselves against coordinated hate campaigns allows these circuits of hatred to escalate into physical violence, detention, and deportation. Digital violence, in the form of systematic disinformation, functions as a direct precursor to physical violence against the displaced population.

  Global Voices · Dec 11, 2025

  

• Anas al-Sharif's Killing and the Crisis of Western Journalism

  Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif, an Amnesty Human Rights Defender award recipient, was killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza City along with five other journalists. Western media outlets have been criticized for uncritically reporting Israeli claims that slain journalists were Hamas members without sufficient skepticism or evidence. Data from Brown University’s Watson School indicates that more media workers have died in Gaza than in both World Wars combined. Journalistic Malpractice Outlets like the BBC and Reuters have been accused of parroting IDF claims, with instances where Reuters presented Israeli accusations as established facts without quotation marks. Western publications often cite their inability to independently verify facts due to being barred from entering Gaza, a restriction imposed by Israel, to justify their lack of investigative rigor. Structural Bias and Race The author argues that Western journalism is influenced by a "color line," where the deaths of brown journalists are treated with less gravity than those of Western counterparts. The conflict is framed as being viewed through a lens of racial dynamics, where Israel is placed within the "white fold," leading to Western institutional alignment regardless of the impact on press freedom or human rights. While Western media championed the case of Jamal Khashoggi, who worked for a major Western outlet, the author contends that journalists like al-Sharif—who report in Arabic for regional outlets—are systematically undervalued by major London and New York-based editorial teams.

  Global Voices · Aug 12, 2025

  

• Half-truths and lies: an online day in Australia

  More than half of Australians encounter online misinformation every week. 97% of Australians possess limited or poor ability to verify the accuracy of online claims. Business and economic-related misinformation is the most prevalent concern, often exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis. News outlets are identified as the source of 58% of misinformation examples, while social media accounts account for 18%. Research Findings A study of 1,600 examples of online information provided by participants revealed that over 20% contained false or misleading claims. Written content remains the most common form of misinformation (68%), followed by social media posts (18%), video (11%), images (3%), and audio (1%). The lower prevalence of audio and visual misinformation in the study may stem from the difficulty of fact-checking these formats compared to text. Media Literacy Demands There is strong public demand for media literacy education to help individuals distinguish between objective information and persuasive intent. Participants emphasized that public institutions, including schools and government, should take an active role in providing these skills. The need for improved media literacy is considered critical, as misinformation is currently viewed by many as a more pressing short-term global threat than climate change or war.

  360info · Mar 13, 2025

  

• FOMO in Trinidad and Tobago: Reflections on Social Anxiety and Status

  FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) is a social phenomenon driven by the anxiety that others are having more fun or achieving more status, leading individuals to act impulsively to remain included. In Trinidad and Tobago, this cultural tendency manifests in the compulsion to attend events—ranging from parties to state funerals—regardless of invitation status or social norms. The author advocates for JOMO (Joy of Missing Out), emphasizing self-sufficiency and the dignity of declining invitations rather than "storming" events. The SAPA Incident On January 9, 2024, former Finance Minister Karen Nunez-Tesheira and former Senate President Timothy Hamel-Smith were filmed scaling a railing at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA). The pair sought entry to the state funeral of former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday despite lacking official invitations. Nunez-Tesheira justified the action to the media by citing perceived slights and exclusion, highlighting how political figures sometimes use aggressive "FOMO" tactics to maintain visibility and status. Cultural Context and Implications The incident highlights a broader cultural preoccupation with hierarchy, status, and the "see and be seen" mentality common in local society. While "ordinary" citizens might face harsh consequences for similar public disturbances, high-society figures often face lower scrutiny, normalizing such behavior. The author suggests that forgoing attendance in the absence of an invitation—and instead sending a condolence card—is the more dignified, mature, and JOMO-aligned approach.

  Global Voices · Jan 12, 2024