KATRINA CROSBY WRITES – Can’t China just let Taiwan be Taiwan? In recent news, the issue of China and the island of Taiwan surfaced again, this time in the form of an acclaimed author’s nationality. Professor and author, Wu Ming-yi, is a Taiwanese writer whose novel, “The Stolen Bicycle,” was…
TABITHA THEARD WRITES — Rice, water bottles, and bicycle tubes are not usually seen as political statements, but in South Korea, activists are using these items to inspire hope and encourage more North Koreans to become defectors and flee their country. According to Fars Ghani from Aljazeera, approximately 31,000 North…
BETH MCLAUGHLIN WRITES – Most people are by now familiar with “Humans of New York” —photojournalist Brandon Stanton’s project of interviewing ordinary, anonymous New Yorkers about whatever is on their minds. Stanton has a wide audience that goes beyond his Facebook page. With two best-selling books, 20 million followers across…
MICHAELA MERTZ WRITES — The highly followed social media account, Feminist Voices, was suspended on International Women’s Day after initiating a discussion on issues of sexual harassment. The campaign began on March 6, when the account asked users to post their own photos about sexual harassment with the hashtag #March8againstharassment.…
EMILY CARMAN WRITES — The meme has become a prevalent part of the internet and youth social media culture. Urban Dictionary describes it as, “Not a word but a lifestyle.” From Pepe the Frog to Dat Boi to everything Spongebob, the meme is used by young people everywhere for comedic,…
DIANA JABLONSKI WRITES — A total of 249 Malaysians and foreigners have been arrested in Malaysia for being suspected of recruiting terrorists through the use of social media. Social media platforms that were used include Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. According to Deputy Home Minister Masir Kujat, 240 of those suspected…
BOBBY FRETZ WRITES — The world is no stranger to the terrorist organization Daesh, commonly known as ISIS. The group has been a topic of mainstream media for the last five years. With its dramatic uprising in Syria and Iraq in 2013, it might be common for people to view…
TIARA SALVABILLA WRITES – Dian Erra Kumalasari is a fashion designer from Indonesia. Her line, Oerip Batik, features traditional Indonesian woven fabric and is targeted towards backpackers worldwide. The designs are ready-to-wear, conventional pieces which are different from the luxury, high fashion lines that Indonesian designers have been trying to…
NADIA ALJOJO WRITES – Last September, Instagram reached 800 million active users, up from 600 million less than a year earlier. That sort of growth and following has made the platform a gateway for – and to — the fashion and beauty industry, providing women a chance to express their…
NINA YUSTIARTI WRITES – A prominent Australian female politician has come to the defense of two male journalists accused of chauvinism. Australia’s Deputy Labor Leader Tanya Plibersek had just finished a speech at the National Press Club of Australia earlier this month on efforts to close the country’s gender pay…
FASSA SAR WRITES – “Black Panther” tops box offices, at this point running ahead of “Avatar,” the Star Wars franchise, “Jumanji” and countless other titles in sales. There is an old standing conception that mass audiences do not want to see black narratives with a majority black cast. In order…
ALEXIS CRUZ WRITES – There’s no doubt, movies about food are cruel to the eyes and stomach. They tease you with something you cannot smell nor taste, and sight alone doesn’t let you experience the food. “Ramen Head” is just that, featuring bowl after bowl of steamy noodles and broth…
FASSA SAR WRITES – Amazon and Netflix are now battling it out to gain the eyeballs of millions of Indian television viewers. These two company giants are moving away from the traditional Hollywood strategy where television and film are created for American audiences with the hope they catch some international…
EPIPHANY HULBURD WRITES — Over the past couple of years, Asian content has slowly been making its way into the Western mainstream entertainment world. Whether it’s through co-productions with China or the constantly spreading influence of Korean pop culture, otherwise known as “Hallyu,” the content consumed by Americans and Western…
The Asia Media International Staff Writes — Posted without further comment. None is needed.
ELIZABETH SOELISTIO WRITES FROM INDONESIA – This sprawling country, the world’s fourth most populous, is no stranger to internet censorship. However, the consequences of Indonesia’s recent censorship tactics are not only felt by the individual users but also by the community around them. First, there is the censorship of homosexuality…
