Donald Trump’s desire to take over the U.S.’ northern neighbor conjures up important annexation lessons from history
The U.S. once wanted Canada, long before it became another talking point for the new administration. Writer Brian Gabrial gives a crash course on Canada-U.S. relations dating back to the Revolutionary War, illustrating that history has a way of repeating itself--but perhaps not the way Trump intends.
(more)
When statues fall, what will rise in their place?
"I was between bites of a sandwich on the steps of Jameson Hall when the blaring sirens disrupted the hub of student activity. Next came the smell," writes Alana Schreiber. While studying at a university in South Africa, she witnessed protests about statues that commemorated controversial figures. Schreiber compares them to recent protests in the U.S., and asks what, if anything, will replace these statues?
(more)
American foreign policy scrutinized in new novel
Robert Ritzenthaler was born on a U.S. Marine Corps base in Hawaii four months before his father was sent to Vietnam in 1965. Recently, he began to explore and write about his father's war experiences and their impact on his family. Since the late '80s, he's traveled across the world, documenting the effects of U.S. intervention and civil war on indigenous ethnic groups. Jungles and Deserts is his first novel, weaving historical events with riveting fiction. The Reporters Inc. is pleased to present exclusive excerpts.
(more)
Community radio stations give indigenous Guatemalans a voice
Radio San Jose is one of Guatemala's so-called "pirate radio" stations, offering its poor Mayan population one of the few ways to get their voices heard on the airwaves. However, the government refuses to legalize it, and similar radio stations.
(more)
Is authoritarian-style governance becoming the American way?
Journalist Carol Larson and her husband lived, traveled and worked in the former USSR for several years before returning to the United States. Recently, they've noticed some worrying parallels between today's increasingly authoritarian-style governance and classic Soviet thinking. One example: carrying on a political plan regardless of the inconvenient reality.
(more)
A Spaniard's take on her country's tradition of bullfighting
In July 2016, 11 people were gored to death in Pamplona, Spain during the city's annual nine-day "running of the bulls" event. Additionally, roughly 50 to 100 people are injured every year during the event, and the bulls are killed in the process. The event has many detractors, but proud Spaniard Dolores Gonzalez-Posada argues one cannot judge a country's traditions without knowing all the facts.
(more)
Journalist blackmailed and jailed for investigating corruption
Journalist Khadija Ismayilova was punished in a uniquely cruel and humiliating way after she investigated corruption in Azerbaijan's ruling family. She suspected she was being watched, but she didn't expect to be secretly filmed in her bedroom and blackmailed with the tapes. As reporter Anna Bacciarelli says, "You might call it 'government revenge porn.'"
(more)
Voices around globe reflect on Trump presidency
The Reporters Inc. reached out to people who live around the world for their reactions, hopes and concerns about Donald Trump's election to the presidency of the United States. We've compiled the responses of 14 "everyday" people from 13 different countries on four continents. This wide array of thoughts and opinions provides a fascinating glimpse into the minds and hearts of people across the planet who are anxiously waiting to see what a Trump administration will do, and how it will impact and affect their own lives.
(more)
Journalist shares concerning parallels between U.S., Uzbekistan politics
Jerry Huffman spent nearly two years trying to establish an independent media organization in Uzbekistan, a country that human rights watchdogs define as an authoritarian state with limited civil rights. Recently, Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened legal action against publications, and blocked access to various organizations that he believes portray him in an unfair light. Huffman shares his concerns about the parallels between life in Uzbekistan and the current political climate in the U.S.
(more)
Police take pro-democracy crackdown to new levels
Pro-democracy activist Kong Tsung-gan recounts his experience being followed and harassed by Hong Kong police.
(more)
On the road with struggling migrants in the Mexican desert
In the midst of the political storm, reporter Elliot Granath claims there is a humanitarian crisis: every year, about 200 bodies are recovered along the U.S.-Arizona border alone. Hundreds of others are never found.
(more)Hong Kong democracy activist shares growing movement to expand social, political freedoms
Tens of thousands of government supporters marched in Hong Kong on August 17 in opposition of a pro-democracy movement that has threatened to bring Asia's biggest financial center to a standstill. A democracy activist in Hong Kong writes exclusively for The Reporters Inc. about the growing movement for expanded social and political freedom in the region.
(more)
Why suicide by fire protests continue in Tibet
123 Tibetans have set themselves on fire since 2009. All but one of those self-immolations has occurred in the last two years. 102 of the self-immolators have died. But what exactly did these 123 citizens hope to achieve through self-immolation? What difference has it made? And what, if any, change has occurred as a result of the self-immolations?
(more)