insert_link Africa Ugandan Tik Toker jailed for insulting President A Ugandan court has sentenced a 24-year-old man to six years in prison for insulting the president and the first family through his video posted on TikTok. The BBC reports that Edward Awebwa was charged with hate speech and spreading "misleading and malicious" information against President Yoweri Museveni, First Lady Janet Museveni, and son Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is the head of the military. todayJuly 11, 2024 13
insert_link Africa Kenya police say over 270 arrested for criminal acts during Tuesday protests Kenyan police said they have arrested more than 270 people masquerading as protesters who are suspected of going on a criminal rampage during anti-government rallies on Tuesday. Widespread looting and property damage was reported during the youth-led demonstrations in various cities across the country, which some protesters said had been infiltrated by "goons". "Security forces across the country singled out suspects found engaging in criminal activities in […] todayJuly 3, 2024 33
insert_link Science & Technology Rise of digital activism in Africa as smartphone adoption surges By Conrad Onyango, bird story agency From just making calls, to taking pictures and light browsing, to engaging in e-commerce transactions to, recently, engaging in digital activism, the way Africans are engaging with their smartphones is fast evolving. This is happening against the backdrop of a surge in smartphone usage across the continent, according to three recent reports. Three different reports show that […] todayJuly 3, 2024 49
insert_link Local ZIKORA MEDIA & ARTS Launches Its Decolonizing Beauty Campaign ZIKORA MEDIA & ARTS is proud to announce the official launch of Decolonizing Beauty, a unique campaign designed to educate the public and celebrate the rich tapestry of indigenous and local beauty customs across Africa. In a world increasingly dominated by Western beauty standards promoted through pop culture and the global beauty industry, Decolonizing Beauty seeks to challenge narrow perceptions and showcase the multifaceted historic beauty traditions […] todayJuly 3, 2024 19
insert_link Uncategorized We research online ‘misogynist radicalisation’. Here’s what parents of boys should know Komorebi Photo/Unsplash , CC BY By Steven Roberts, Monash University and Stephanie Wescott, Monash University Many parents are worried about their children using social media. But these concerns tend to focus on privacy, exposure to explicit material or contact with strangers. As researchers looking at sexism and misogyny in Australian schools and the influence of social media, we think it is also important for parents to […] todayJuly 1, 2024 9
insert_link World Social media platforms are blocked in Iran. Candidates in this week’s presidential election are embracing them anyway By Amin Naeni, Deakin University After Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash on May 20, the Iranian government had to schedule an early election to choose a new president. The regime has approved six presidential candidates to run in the election on June 28. The pool includes four hardliners, one centrist and one reformist. The main competition is expected […] todayJune 26, 2024 21
insert_link Africa What’s next after Kenya’s deadly protests? By Rose TROUP BUCHANAN, Simon VALMARY After an unprecedented day of chaos and deadly violence, Kenya finds itself plunged into uncertainty on Wednesday, with lawmakers due to vote this week on deeply unpopular tax hikes that have sparked widespread protests. How did East Africa's economic powerhouse get to this point and what happens now? Tuesday's national strike against proposed tax hikes began peacefully, with […] todayJune 26, 2024 14
insert_link Africa Kenya protests: Gen Z shows the power of digital activism – driving change from screens to the streets By Job Mwaura, University of the Witwatersrand Nationwide demonstrations have erupted in Kenya over a controversial tax bill. The Finance Bill 2024, initially presented to parliament in May, has sparked discontent with an increase in an array of taxes and levies for Kenyans. The mass protests, initially organised in the capital city, Nairobi, have spread across the country. Demonstrations have taken place in […] todayJune 24, 2024 53
insert_link Africa The rise of Africa’s Gen Zs: From TikTok, X to the streets By Conrad Onyango, bird story agency On June 18, 2024, thousands of young Kenyans took to the streets to oppose proposed tax reforms, marking a significant shift in the landscape of youth activism and advocacy in Africa. Within hours, a colourful image that captures the essence of a youthful crowd in trendy attire protesting on the streets of Nairobi was doing the rounds […] todayJune 21, 2024 31