Free speech and censorship
All topics-
Last stand for Afghanistan's art scene?
Afghan artists react to the Taliban takeover
Particularly threatened by the Taliban, some artists are trying to destroy all proof of their work. Others are creating last pieces as a form of resistance. Manasi Gopalakrishnan reports
-
Ebrahim Raisi takes office
The Iranian regime will stop at nothing to ensure survival
Against the backdrop of growing protests over water shortages, Iran's new hardline president took office last week. For ordinary Iranians, a life in fear and repression will continue, writes Azadeh Pourzand
-
Exclusive: Investigating Syria's civil war
How hardline rebels turned on activist Razan Zeitouneh
The disappearance of Razan Zeitouneh and her colleagues has been one of the greatest mysteries of the Syrian war – until today. DW's investigative unit hunted clues across six countries to track down the perpetrators
-
Cyber disinformation
How dangerous are the Middle East's "electronic armies"?
The Middle East is plagued by electronic armies working at the behest of one regime or another. Long used by those in power as a weapon in the fight against activists and dissidents, such operations can have deadly consequences for those caught in the crosshairs. Cathrin Schaer has the details
-
Imran Khan's democracy and press freedom
Pakistani military keeps journalists on a tight leash
Fearing persecution and facing threats to their lives, journalists tread carefully in Pakistan. The brave and bold who pose awkward questions are most at risk, writes Pakistani journalist Warda Imran
-
Interview with the Algerian scholar Said Djabelkhir
What we Muslims need is a critical appraisal of Islamic law
Algerian scholar Said Djabelkhir rejects the charge of "offending Islam". In interview with Ismail Assam, he maintains that he has been wilfully misconstrued. At the same time, he stresses that he was talking in a "historical" manner about Islam, calling for it to move on from the era of fatwas and to look critically at Muslim religious heritage
-
Democratic disappointments in Algeria
How can the Hirak meet Algerians' democratic needs?
Saturday's historically low election turnout was a reflection of Algerians' ongoing frustration with the political status quo. Faced with mounting state repression, however, the likelihood of the Hirak evolving from popular protest movement into a significant opposition force appears slim. By Ilhem Rachidi
-
COVID-19 fallout in Morocco
Tangiers' economic boom – few winners and many losers
Business in the Moroccan city of Tangiers is booming due to its location at the nexus of global trade routes. But many locals are failing to reap the benefits. What they crave most is the resumption of international tourism and the attendant influx of revenue. Stefanie Claudia Muller reports from Tangiers
-
Obituary: Iranian-German poet SAID
Shout your names
Among the authors writing in German who are not native speakers of the language, SAID, who was born in 1947, was among the most successful and the most unconventional. Highly politically engaged, he remained true to his position between cultures. He died on 15 May. By Stefan Weidner
-
Eroding confidence in the Fourth Estate
Narendra Modi declares war on India's free press
Freedom of the press is the mortar that binds together a free society. If Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to de-institutionalise what used to be a dynamic and independent Fourth Estate persist, public confidence in the media will steadily decline, along with confidence in Indian democracy, writes Shashi Tharoor
-
Social media in Turkey
Recep Tayyip Erdogan's monitoring of the digital realm
Having taken control of the traditional media, Turkish President Erdogan is now extending his reach to the social networks. A new law has been passed to rein in major digital players Twitter and Google. But the government's attempt to dominate public opinion is producing some bizarre outgrowths, reports Ronald Meinardus from Istanbul
-
Syria 10 years on
Bashar al-Assad’s Pyrrhic victory and the arrogance of power
Syria's president appears to have triumphed. He remains in power, the Syrian conflict is nearly over, and efforts are underway in the Arab world to normalise relations with his regime. Yet why was Bashar al-Assad so unprepared for the uprising, and has he learned anything since? Commentary by Nael Shama