The openDemocracy Show

How the cult of Nigerian prophet TB Joshua lives on

openDemocracy — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 03:30:00 +0000

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Healthcare workers are dodging abortion rules in Mexico

openDemocracy — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 13:45:00 +0000

You can read part 2 of this investigative series here: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/5050...

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Anti-abortion group targets women and children in Mexico

openDemocracy — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 13:45:00 +0000

You can read part 1 of this investigative series here: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/5050...

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See our latest stories: https://www.opendemocracy.net/

Support our work: https://bit.ly/3o0XTgi

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Daniel Trilling in conversation with Gary Younge

openDemocracy — Wed, 31 May 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Gary Younge, one of the UK’s leading political voices, on the significant events of the last few decades that have affected the Black diaspora around the globe.

Why do Russians support the war?

openDemocracy — Tue, 02 May 2023 06:00:00 +0000

One year since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, surveys demonstrate that over two-thirds of Russians still support the war. Why do people believe that the ‘special military operation’ was necessary? How is it possible that they don’t change their minds even when they know about the Russian army’s devastating war crimes in Ukraine and losses and chaos the army is suffering?

Watch the full discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmM59dCI60M

Donate to openDemocracy: https://support.opendemocracy.net/project/home

Long Read - How Britain’s broken asylum system props up the Iranian government

openDemocracy — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 08:00:00 +0000

Iran’s leaders use the UK’s increasingly hostile asylum policies to warn political refugees against fleeing

Reax the full story:

https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/britain-asylum-system-broken-iran-protests-refugees-migrants-channel/

Donate to openDemocracy: https://support.opendemocracy.net/project/home

Long Read - Idaho bill tries again to equate trans healthcare with female genital mutilation

openDemocracy — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Idaho Republicans are trying for the second time to ban gender-affirming healthcare for minors. Will they succeed?

Read the full story: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/5050/ban-trans-healthcare-female-genital-mutilation-idaho-texas/

Donate to openDemocracy: https://support.opendemocracy.net/project/home

Ukrainian journalists share their stories of war

openDemocracy — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Hear Igor Burdyga and Kateryna Semchuk explain what it's like working in a homeland under threat. Plus British author Oliver Bullough and chair Daniel Trilling.

Watch the full discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gX2ziEDpjx8

Donate to openDemocracy: https://support.opendemocracy.net/project/home

Environmental campaigners ‘spied on’ ahead of Sadiq Khan event

openDemocracy — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Security agents linked to London mayor Sadiq Khan “spied” on a group of environmental activists and blocked them from participating in a public debate, openDemocracy can reveal.

Read the full article here:

https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/environmental-campaigners-spied-on-mayor-london-sadiq-khan-o2/

Donate to openDemocracy: https://support.opendemocracy.net/project/home

Long Read - Are we seeing the collapse of the dollar-dominated global economy?

openDemocracy — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Financial shocks in recent years are forcing the global monetary architecture to change, say some economists

Read the full story here: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/oureconomy/end-dollar-dominated-global-economy-bretton-russia-ukraine-china-saudi-arabia/

Donate to openDemocracy: https://support.opendemocracy.net/project/home

Long Read - A year after Partygate, why is the government still being so secretive?

openDemocracy — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 06:00:00 +0000

A year after the news broke about Partygate, the Cabinet Office is still refusing openDemocracy’s FOI requests on key evidence

Read the full story:

https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/partygate-cabinet-office-cctv-conservative-party-boris-johnson/

Donate to openDemocracy:

https://support.opendemocracy.net/project/home

Long Read - BlackRock says we’re all doomed. It’s being optimistic

openDemocracy — Mon, 09 Jan 2023 06:00:00 +0000

The world’s largest asset manager has forecast systemic economic chaos. The reality is even worse

Read the full story:

https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/oureconomy/blackrock-asset-management-economy-prediction-inflation-recession/

Donate to openDemocracy:

https://support.opendemocracy.net/project/home

Long Read - Ukraine prepares to give free rein to property developers

openDemocracy — Sat, 07 Jan 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Critics fear a new planning law will hand power to property developers and put Ukraine’s historic buildings at risk

Read the full story:

https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/odr/ukraine-planning-law-historic-building-demolition-property-developer/

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https://support.opendemocracy.net/project/home

Long Read - How austerity caused the NHS crisis

openDemocracy — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 06:00:00 +0000

The A&E delays can be traced back to Cameron – and have been worsened by successive health secretaries

Read the full story:

https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/nhs-a-and-e-delays-austerity-emergency-care-hospitals-hunt-hancock-lansley/

Donate to openDemocracy:

https://support.opendemocracy.net/project/home

Long Read - The government’s wrong. We can afford public sector pay rises

openDemocracy — Mon, 26 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +0000

OPINION: There’s one obvious way to fund public sector wage increases: tax the wealthy

Read the full piece:

https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/public-sector-strikes-pay-rise-nurses-james-meadway/

Donate to openDemocracy:

https://support.opendemocracy.net/project/home

Long read - At the UK’s detention centres, border violence and outsourcing collide

openDemocracy — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +0000

OPINION: We need unity between the detained, the outsourced and the underpaid – unions must take on the fight

Read the original article:

https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/manston-immigration-border-violence-outsourcing-security/

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https://support.opendemocracy.net/project/home

Long Read - The UK firm at the heart of a high-level fraud conviction in Russia

openDemocracy — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +0000

The Magomedov brothers defrauded the Russian state of billions – via a Scottish limited partnership

Read the original article:

https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/odr/newbay-investments-magomedov-fraud-russia/

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https://support.opendemocracy.net/project/home

Long read - Labour knows our democracy is broken. So why are its ‘reforms’ so weak?

openDemocracy — Fri, 09 Dec 2022 11:00:00 +0000

OPINION: Gordon Brown is on the money with his diagnosis of the problem. But his solutions aren’t nearly enough

Read the original article:

https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/labour-abolish-house-of-lords-democratic-reform/

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https://support.opendemocracy.net/project/home

Long read - Russia forced them to fight. Ukraine tried them for treason

openDemocracy — Fri, 25 Nov 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Russia has forcibly mobilised tens of thousands in Ukraine’s occupied territories to fight, but when captured those recruited under duress are facing difficult legal battles back home.

Read the orignal article:

https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/odr/russia-forced-mobilisation-donetsk-luhansk-ukraine/

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https://support.opendemocracy.net/project/home

Long Read - Crisis in legal aid system as asylum seekers unable to find lawyers

openDemocracy — Fri, 25 Nov 2022 14:45:00 +0000

More than 40% of asylum seekers may be unable to access legal aid, despite the vast majority needing such support

Read the original article:

https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/asylum-seekers-legal-aid-system-crisis-justice/

Support openDemocracy:

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Coffee, Comedy, Music

openDemocracy — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Usman Khalid wanted to set up a coffee shop with a difference - Haven Coffee is a social enterprise, a cafe with a mission of breaking false narratives around migration.

Their Laff-Uccino comedy gigs are regular events in London, with comedians of refugee or migrant background and Kryzsia, one of the comedians involved, talks comedy, migration and accents.

From comedy in London to music on a Greek island, we head to Mythinini, Lesvos, where Bairbre meets Ramozmontana, a Saudi Arabian/Somali artist on the island, and Farhad, an Iranian musician.

This is the last episode in this series and we’d like to thank openDemocracy and The Irish Examiner for their joint broadcasting, The Pulitzer Grant Center for their funding and support, and all the people who shared their experiences and observations with us.

Thanks also to our team Caroline Dipanda, Osama Gaweesh, Wael Habbal and Reza Nouri for all their work on this series. Omar Alkilani who wrote and performed our theme music and Haya Halaw who designed our artwork.

From producer Bairbre Flood and presenter Mahmoud Hassino, thanks for listening!

Art Athens Activism

openDemocracy — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Wael Habbal started the Syrian Greek Youth Forum, (the SGYF) in 2018 to advocate for human rights, to connect people together, to break stereotypes around migration, and to create their own opportunities in Athens.

He sits down with another member of SGYF - Kareem Al Kabbani - and our reporter Bairbre Flood to talk about how activism, creativity and active citizenship intersect.

You can listen to some of their work on Movement Radio part of Onassis Stegi.

From All Over: LGBTQ Turkiye

openDemocracy — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Two LGBT refugees in Yalova, Turkiye, Mehdi and Nihal, are setting up their own group, From All Over. Bairbre Flood met them at their home to see why they need this group, and what life is like for LGBT refugees outside of Istanbul.

Presenter Mahmoud Hassino also shares some of his personal experiences helping to organise a Mr Gay Syria event which was documented in a film by Turkish director Ayse Toprak.

Art Here

openDemocracy — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Art and migration in Türkiye, Jordan and Ireland.

Arthereistanbul is a community space, an art centre and place where artists can create in peace. Founder Omar Berakdar and artist and curator Sherin Zeraaty talk to Bairbre Flood.

In Jordan, Syrian illustrator and painter Haya Halaw is having her first solo exhibition show in Jacaranda Gallery in Amman.

And finally in Cork, Ireland, meet artist Hina Khan, whose exhibition ‘No Seradan’ (‘No Borders’) draws on her family history of forced migration from Pakistan and her own deeply personal ideas around borders and nationalism.

Presented by Mahmoud Hassino and produced by Bairbre Flood.

Theme music by Omar Alkilani. Artwork by Haya Halaw.

With thanks to the Pulitzer Center for funding support.

Ana Surie

openDemocracy — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Mohamad Khalf has been teaching photography in Zaatari refugee camp, Jordan, for many years – instilling a love of learning and creative expression in his students Ali and Mohammed Nour Al-Babisi.

They talk to Bairbre Flood about the photography exhibition Mohmamad Khalf organised in the camp, called ‘Ana Surie’ (‘I Am Syrian’) and why they are Syrian first – not refugees.

Nour Al-Hariri shares her rap music and explains why she writes about early marriage, child labour, and other issues - and why the many talented and creative women in the camp should be supported more.

Watch some of the short films created by Al-Balbisi.

Presented by Mahmoud Hassino and produced by Bairbre Flood.

Theme music by Omar Alkilani. Artwork by Haya Halaw.

With thanks to the Pulitzer Center for funding support.

Media and Migration

openDemocracy — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 14:11:00 +0000

A look at migration and the media with journalists Osama Gaweesh, Nasruddin Nizami and Mohammad Subat.

Osama Gaweesh is an Egyptian journalist who joined the Refugee Journalism Project in the UK. He explains how the project works, and why it’s so important – not just for individual journalists, but for the quality of news and media overall. His own podcast, Untold Stories, is available wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Nasruddin Nizami, from Afghanistan, is co-founder of the online magazine Solomon, in Athens, and Mohammad Subat set up the first magazine by refugees in Spain, Baynana (which is Arabic for ‘between us’).

Presented by Mahmoud Hassino and produced by Bairbre Flood.

Theme music by Omar Alkilani. Artwork by Haya Halaw.

With thanks to the Pulitzer Center for funding support.

Nothing Without Us

openDemocracy — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 09:00:00 +0000

Welcome to our new series, created in collaboration with some of the refugee community organisers, activists and artists working to challenge stereotypes around migration. Bairbre Flood talks to three community organisers across three countries: Anas Al Natour in Türkiye, Safdar Salmani in Greece and Mavis Ramazani in Ireland. We explore why it’s so important refugees themselves have ownership of their organisations and support – and see how different communities experienced in forced migration help to organise themselves.

Anas is the community liaison officer with Small Projects Istanbul, Safdar Salmani is a community volunteer who works with One Happy Family and Wave of Hope for the Future in Greece (with thanks to Fionn Macarthur, who interprets the conversation) and Mavis Ramazani works with MASI (the Movement of Asylum Seekers Ireland).

Presented by Mahmoud Hassino and produced by Bairbre Flood.

Theme music by Omar Alkilani. Artwork by Haya Halaw.

With thanks to the Pulitzer Center for funding support.

The Case of Gerry Ortega

openDemocracy — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Gerry Ortega - a community leader and environmentalist in the Philippines who used his primetime daily radio show to speak out against local government corruption - was shot dead on 24 January 2011 as he browsed in a thrift shop. Some people are in prison. But the alleged mastermind, a former governor, remains at large and is running for the governor job again in May elections - despite a warrant having been issued for his arrest for the murder of Gerry Ortega.

In partnership with A Safer World for the Truth, openDemocracy examines Gerry’s death - and commemorates his life.

Original music and sound design by Lee Sparey. Episode research by Anita Mureithi. Written, produced and hosted by Penny Dale.

For more information about the case of Gerry Ortega, download the A Safer World for the Truth investigation. And find out more about the work of openDemocracy.

The Case of Deyda Hydara

openDemocracy — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Deyda Hydara - one of The Gambia’s most respected journalists who stood up to the dictatorial regime of former president Yahya Jammeh - was killed in a drive-by shooting on 16 December 2004.

In 2019, testifying before the country’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission, a soldier confessed that he was part of an elite paramilitary death squad that killed Deyda - on the direct orders of Jammeh. No one has yet been prosecuted for the crime. In partnership with A Safer World for the Truth, openDemocracy examines Deyda’s death - and commemorates his life.

Jaliba Kuyateh played the music he wrote especially for this episode. Sound design by Lee Sparey. Episode research by Anita Mureithi. Written, produced and hosted by Penny Dale.

Find out more about the work of A Safer World for the Truth and openDemocracy.

The Case of Gauri Lankesh

openDemocracy — Wed, 19 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Episode 2: The Case of Gauri Lankesh

Gauri Lankesh - a high-profile journalist and activist who spoke out against the rise of right-wing Hindu extremism and stood up for India’s marginalised people - was shot to death on 5 September 2017. Gauri was posthumously awarded the Anna Politkovskaya Award for her work. The trial of the seventeen people being held in remand has yet to start. In partnership with A Safer World for the Truth, openDemocracy examines Gauri’s death - and commemorates her life.

Original music and sound design by Lee Sparey. Episode research by Anita Mureithi. Written, produced and hosted by Penny Dale.

For more information about A Safer World for the Truth - https://www.saferworldforthetruth.com/

And about the work of openDemocracy: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/

The Case of Regina Martínez Pérez

openDemocracy — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 07:00:00 +0000

openDemocracy in partnership with A Safer World for Truth presents Killing the Truth Episode 1.

Regina Martínez Pérez - an acclaimed Mexican journalist known for her hard-hitting exposés of human rights violations and corruption - was beaten to death on 28 April 2012. A man is serving a 38-year sentence for her murder. But he says he was tortured into making this confession and no forensic evidence ties him to the murder scene. In partnership with A Safer World for the Truth, openDemocracy examines Regina’s death - and commemorates her life.

Original music and sound design by Lee Sparey. Episode research by Anita Mureithi. Written, produced and hosted by Penny Dale.

For more information about the murder of Regina Martinez:

https://www.saferworldforthetruth.com/investigations/regina-martinez

And for more information about the work of openDemocracy: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/

openDemocracy presents: Killing The Truth

openDemocracy — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 09:00:00 +0000

Every week, somewhere in the world, a journalist is killed.

Because their reporting uncovered a truth that someone wants hidden.

Most of the murders are never solved. That their killers go free matters - to all of us. Because investigations are abandoned, power and corruption goes unchallenged – and democracy is weakened.

Killing the Truth explores the cases of four remarkable journalists who paid the ultimate price for their uncompromising pursuit of the truth.

Killing the Truth is a podcast by openDemocracy in partnership with A Safer World for The Truth, and the series will launch the new podcast The openDemocracy Show. Visit opendemocracy.net to find out more.

Launching on 15 December.