Freedom of expression under pressure in Turkey

Protests in Turkey following the arrests of Istanbul's mayor and several journalists have been met with heavy-handed police action and censorship. At the same time, criticism of the government's restrictions on freedom of expression is growing. Image: Canva

Of: Mona Adam Abdi

The Turkish state continues to strengthen its influence over public discourse. After arrestn by Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and several journalists have protests broke out - Mto eat w/ mass arrests, censorship and police crackdowns. Criticism is growing against a government that uses the law to silence dissent.  

April 15, 2025, Development magazine explains

Week 14: Criticism of Swedish diplomacy, Trump escalates the trade war and gender equality recedes in aid

This week, the journalist's continued imprisonment in Turkey, Trump's rollout of global staff tariffs, and reflections on global gender equality work have dominated the debate. Image: Collage in Canva.

Of: Meklit Teklu and Nora Sargin

Previous vThe debate in the corner has been characterized by demands to bring back the imprisoned journalist Joakim Medin and criticism of Sweden's quiet diplomacy. At the same time, USA newly introduced customs aroused strong reactions. Ballowance policy has also been on the agenda, and not least gender equality work, in the surge after the annual meeting of the UN Commission on Women.  

April 8, 2025, Current debate

Week 13: Debators criticize US power play in Greenland and trade policy

This week, the debate on global issues has revolved around how the EU should respond to the Trump administration's trade policy, the US's actions against Greenland, and developments in Turkey following the imprisonment of opposition leader Imamoglu. Image: collage in Canva.

Of: Meja Roberg and Olle Hoög

US Vice President JD Vance's brief visit to Greenland has once again set the stagen at the center of a geopolitical tug-of-war. At the same time, Donald Trump continues Trumps tariff policy to create concern in Europe, where experts warn of the long-term consequences of the trade war. In Turkey, the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imomoglu raised international attention, but EU leaders have so far been conspicuously silent.

April 1, 2025, Current debate

Everything you need to know about the new foreign espionage laws

In November, the Riksdag voted through the new laws on foreign espionage – something that has met with strong criticism from both the media industry and former whistleblowers. Photo: Johannes Jansson. Source: Wikimedia commons.

Of: Vilma Ellemark

On January 1, the controversial foreign espionage laws came into force in Sweden. Critics fear that the laws make it more difficult for journalists and whistleblowers to report on wrongdoing in international collaborations. But how can espionage laws restrict the media? And why were the laws voted through despite the criticism? The development magazine explains what you need to know about the law changes.

January 13, 2023, Development magazine explains

Week 46: Debaters criticize Sweden's climate policy and new constitutional amendment

In connection with the COP27 climate meeting, several debaters criticized Sweden's climate policy. Photo: Tim Dennell. Source: Flickr.

Of: Sandra Duru and Vilma Ellemark

The UN climate summit in Egypt has raised questions about Sweden's climate policy and responsibility internationally. Several debaters also criticize the Swedish constitutional amendment on foreign espionage, which they believe makes it more difficult to review international collaborations. 

November 23, 2022, Current debate

Do not let the corona knock out democracy!

In several countries, the police and military brutally beat down people who violate the curfew. Photo: Gerd Altmann / Pixabay

Of: Anna Stenwinkel

Increased police violence, censorship and attacks on the opposition. These are some of the effects of more and more authoritarian regimes around the world using the corona crisis to gain more power. The aid organization Forum Syd is now calling on the government to use the democracy initiative to protect democracy and human rights from the coronavirus.

April 27, 2020, Debate

China's ambassador creates outrage on leaders' sides

China's ambassador to Sweden has created a debate following his threats and pressure on journalists.

Of: Rebecka Rönnegård

What consequences will there be for China's ambassador to Sweden after a series of undemocratic initiatives? This is a question that several editorial boards have asked themselves in the past week. In addition, the World Economic Forum is considered to be characterized by the climate crisis for the first time.

January 22, 2020, Current debate

The outside world should keep an eye on Belarus

Since President Alexander Lukashenko came to power in 1994, no elections in the country have been considered free and fair by the outside world, writes Goran Miletic. Photo: Russian Presidential Office (CC BY 4.0 License)

Of: Goran Miletic

The Belarusian parliamentary elections two weeks ago confirmed what many of us already knew - the country has a very long way to go in terms of democracy. This year's election results - where no one from the opposition was elected to parliament - give the outside world further reasons to monitor developments in the country ahead of next year's presidential election. The general human rights situation in Belarus (formerly Belarus) […]

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December 3, 2019, Guest chronicle

Myanmar's climate activists are fighting natural disasters and demonstration taboos

Although many parents are opposed to demonstrations, the young people in Climate Strike Myanmar continue to struggle with climate strikes and demonstrations.

Of: Veronica Sällemark

The climate strike that Greta Thunberg started last year has spread all over the world. FUF's correspondent met two climate activists in Myanmar - a country that is hard hit by climate change.

August 26, 2019, FUF-correspondents

When truth and lies can cost you your life

Many journalists around the world are threatened because of their work. According to Reporters Without Borders, hostility to free media is increasing globally. Photo: Art Comments / Flickr (CC BY 2.0 License)

Of: Marika Ploman

The situation for journalists around the world is getting tougher. Political leaders oppress, persecute and prevent reporters in their work and freedom of expression and democracy are threatened in many places. Rowa Alkhatib is one of the many vulnerable journalists who fled their country to save their lives.

July 3, 2019, Reportage