Stories about Oceania
Gay penguin parenthood stories ruffle some conservative feathers
From Australia to United States, some conservatives are blocking the inclusion of gay penguin stories in schools and libraries.
Aboriginal Australian journalist Stan Grant steps down from post after enduring racial abuse
"I want to find a place of grace far from the stench of the media. I want to go where I am not reminded of the social media sewer."
Sanctions against violators of women’s rights: A political lens
Emphasizing humanitarian aid and empowering women's self-determination and autonomy might be a better approach to creating meaningful change for women and girls than sanctions as a sole strategy.
Australia’s Safeguard Mechanism legislation will force big polluters to cut carbon emissions
"Implementation of the safeguard mechanism bodes well for Australian #climate policy and may also pave the way for carbon pricing beyond the industry sector."
‘A great day to be a journalist in Fiji’ as Parliament repeals ‘draconian’ media law
"Some of Fiji's best journalists left the industry as a result and the media still carry the mental scars today from that very disturbing period."
Micronesia’s president accuses China of bribery and ‘political warfare’
"What else do you call it when an elected official is given an envelope filled with money after a meal at the PRC Embassy or after an inauguration?"
Pacific voices call for urgent global climate action
Several initiatives highlight stories, narratives, and art performances that articulate the appeal of Pacific Island nations for a more decisive global action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Papua New Guinea’s proposed policy could lead to government control of the press
"(The government) can run media organisations to bring its own message out, but it should never exert control over the entire industry."
Australian environment minister blocks coal mine near Great Barrier Reef
"Tears in my eyes. Thank you Minister and all those working alongside you.. This is a beautiful act for our beautiful imperiled planet."
Former refugee Behrouz Boochani's ‘surreal’ experience in Australia's parliament
"It was very surreal for me to be in a place that for years I criticised from the offshore prisons."
Amid fears of contamination, Japan will soon dump treated water from Fukushima Nuclear Plant into the Pacific
"(The plan) shows direct disregard for the sovereignty and self-determination of Pacific peoples and the ocean their livelihoods depend upon."
China’s Belt and Road Initiative divides the Pacific
Global Voices Southeast Asia and Oceania editor Mong Palatino reviews the impact of China's economic and diplomatic expansion in the Pacific.
This online game exposes the dangers of deep-sea mining
"Help the residents of the deep defend their home. Play GAME OVER and discover the enormous risks involved in deep sea mining."
Australia explores ways to combat widespread greenwashing of carbon emissions
"As consumers become increasingly interested in purchasing sustainable products, there are growing concerns that some businesses are falsely promoting their environmental or green credentials."
Australian PM Anthony Albanese adds to growing political pressure to #FreeJulianAssange
The Australian PM has finally talked about Julian Assange ... and while distancing himself from Assange’s well-motivated actions, has said he has raised it with representatives of the US administration.
Australia’s World Cup team urges better treatment of migrants and LGBTQ+ individuals in Qatar
Australian football players participating in the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar have released a powerful video highlighting human rights abuses for workers and the LGBTQ+ community in the host country
Guns and Kung Fu: Australia and China help militarize the Solomon Islands’ police force
"In these times of hyper-geopolitical competition, the arming of police forces with assault weapons could result in dangerous outcomes in the future."
Australia's unique natural wonders are at risk from ecotourism expansion
"These islands attract millions of visitors a year keen to experience their natural wonders. Yet often this very “ecotourism” is contributing to their degradation."
Papua New Guinea’s new media rules could undermine the work of journalists
"We ask the simple question, what have we got to hide from public scrutiny?"
Policing the pandemic: Australia’s technology response to COVID-19
Australian governments approached the use of digital technologies from an ideological perspective, heavily leaning on control and surveillance.
Peer under the sea of the Indonesian archipelago through this photo essay
Many of the creatures featured in this piece, as well as our coastal economies, are under threat as the climate crisis warms ocean waters and threatens coastal ecosystems