Culture / Media

Joining his neighbours one evening, Dan Baron Cohen finds himself immersed in a spontaneous conversation about culture, justice and sustainability that would be rare inside the halls of academe.

Politicians of both Left and Right continue to march behind the banners of meritocracy and equality of opportunity as if this were all that is needed to achieve a fair society. But rewarding people for their ‘merit’ may be creating a new class system based on arrogant, insensitive winners and angry, desperate losers, writes Peter Adamson.

Viktor Orbán, Hungary’s autocratic hard man, is riding high, with the help of young propaganda-mongers. Lorraine Mallinder investigates a media takeover.

Comedy is an art form. Kate Smurthwaite explains.

Changing habits; Tech takeover; Trust in media; Who owns it?

So many voices online. Surely that means more diversity and media democracy? Not really, explains Laura Basu.

Vanessa Baird writes on the strange mutations of ‘fake news’

Trump has a precursor – and maybe even a mentor – when it comes to waging war on media he does not like. Iris Gonzales reports from the Philippines.

There is no one magic remedy – but lots of strategies. Vanessa Baird writes.

Trust in tatters. Business model busted. And journalism under attack from all sides. So why does Vanessa Baird think that the news media has a bright future?

Update from Kenya by Moses Wasamu.

The story of Radio Inzamba, daring to report on human rights abuses, told by Giedre Steikunaite.

Jokes may have more power to make people think than facts – but is mainstream comedy doing enough to open people’s minds? Kate Smurthwaite jabs back at the comedians with only easy targets in their sights.

As the New Internationalist embarks on its great, democratic, community shares experiment, Vanessa Baird explores the contradictions of today’s media landscape.

Hazel Healy on how independent outlets are gaining traction.

The feminist pioneer talks to Graeme Green about travel, change and the road ahead.

Internet users used to be worried about government control of the web but the opposite may be true, writes Chris Spannos

Dario Sabaghi talks to Kholoud Waleed about her battle for freedom of speech in Syria.

Stories you might have missed in 2015. Compiled by Jo Lateu.

Cristiana Moisescu reports on 'cinema in a backpack'.

Roxana Olivera meets the documentary filmmaker renowned for delving into Chile’s dark past.

Investigative journalist Nick Davies on the myth of press freedom.

Report from Serbia

Ikamara Larasi dismantles one-sided caricatures of black women in pop culture.