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#FreedomFightsFake
The Covid Conspiracy
Rebea Firdous

Misinformation in Pakistan During COVID-19

Fake news during the coronavirus pandemic brought in focus, the issue of tackling misinformation in the mainstream media. Read on to explore how various WhatsApp/Twitter/Facebook posts shows that Pakistan during the coronavirus pandemic is fighting two forces: a pandemic and an ‘infodemic’

FreedomFightsFake
Freedom Fights Fake

Misinformation and Healthcare: The Infodemic in India

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) commonly called COVID-19, has been spreading across India and the world. However, there is something else spreading with a similar virality—fake news and misinformation. False data, miracle cures, conspiracy theories and religious discrimination have gained traction as they circulate on WhatsApp and Facebook. Misinformation has been a significant issue in India over the past few years.

Workers in a textile factory in India
Angelica Zocchi

Labor Law Reform: Promises and Limitations

Amidst the numerous news flashes pertaining to the global pandemic, the current administration has introduced a slew of bold economic reforms. Relaxations in labor law have been instituted in the states of Uttar Pradesh (UP), Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh (MP), whereby for a period of three years, these states will be exempt from nearly all existing central and state labor laws.

FreedomFightsFake
#freedomfightsfake
Shruti Sharma

Right to Information: A tool to combat disinformation

India passed the Right to Information (RTI) Act in 2005 which gave the hope of transparency and accountability to its citizens. Since its adoption more than a decade ago, the act has helped in highlighting several frauds and enabled citizens to hold government and public authorities accountable for their actions. However, over time the essence of the RTI Act has been systematically eroded.

Airport Nepal
Dr. Najmul Hossain

More Governance than Government

The South Asian countries studied in this report—Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka— achieved a robust economic growth over the past two decades. Bangladesh and India achieved annual growth exceeding 7 % while Pakistan and Sri Lanka averaged around 5 % during the same period.

Born with Pride

#BornwithPride in a hetero-normative society

In a society where homosexuality is illegal and persons are not free to determine their gender, the choice of whether to express oneself freely or continuing to live a life in secret is an everyday struggle. South Asian countries are still plagued with homophobia, biphobia and transphobia as well as legal restrictions on sexual orientation and gender identity. Homosexuality is still illegal in six out of the eight South Asian countries.

The Pandemic Changed the World. Coincidence? Bulgarians Don't Think So

The Pandemic Changed the World. Coincidence? Bulgarians Don't Think So

Bulgaria is by no means the only country where there has been a deeply-rooted skepticism about the true origin of COVID-19. However, experts say that Bulgarians are not a good example of conspiracies impacting modern everyday life. The widespread belief in some hidden truth can be attributed to specific socio-cultural features and historical events that have left a lasting mark on the relationship between citizens and their leaders.

Pandemic, New Zealand-Style
#FreedomFightsFake

Pandemic, New Zealand-Style

As long as trust in health experts and the government manages to frame pandemic measures as a common goal for “a team of 5 million” rather than a set of restrictions, New Zealand will keep the infodemic at bay. Can we also achieve this?

This Is Just a Flu
#FreedomFightsFake

This Is Just a Flu

In Bulgaria and around the world, doubts remain about the seriousness of COVID-19. There are even people who still don’t believe the virus exists.

EU flag and coffee cup with a "like"
Digital Services Act

Digital Services Act: The New Foundation for Europe's Digital Single Market

Yesterday, the European Commission presented the long-awaited Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act.
Was it worth the wait? Digitalisation expert Ann Cathrin Riedel has the verdict for you.

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