It can often feel as if digital technology giants like Google and Facebook get a completely free pass from governments around the world. In particular, their role in decimating the increasingly beleaguered media industry has largely gone unchallenged by governing parties of both the right and the left. But now, two nations on opposite sides of the globe have finally taken an important first step in addressing this problem.
Monthly Archives: May 2020
Presidential hopeful says US is ‘failed state’ and calls for independent left-wing movement to bring real change
The failure of Bernie Sanders’s campaign to win the Democratic Party primary contest was a devastating disappointment for those wishing for meaningful political and economic change in the US. Short of a contested convention, center-right establishment figure Joe Biden will now be Donald Trump’s Democratic opponent in November’s election.
But while Sanders is out of the running, there will still be a progressive on ballots across the country. Because the Green Party will be running a presidential candidate – as it has for the last 24 years.
In an exclusive interview, The Canary spoke with Howie Hawkins, who is currently leading the Green Party primary with victories in 20 states – making him all but certain to win. Hawkins discussed his policy platform, his history of involvement in multiple social movements over many decades, and what role he hopes his campaign will play in the November election.
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A controversially imprisoned UK national in the US hits headlines again during coronavirus pandemic
An 81-year-old British national has been imprisoned in the US for over 30 years. With the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic raging, multiple voices have been calling for his release. As an elderly prisoner with multiple health issues, he is at particular risk of death should he become infected with coronavirus. But there’s more to the story. Over the last few years, new evidence has emerged that casts serious doubt on the guilty verdict that convicted him in the first place.
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Trump ramps up longstanding Republican efforts to further weaken US democracy
Donald Trump has already used the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic to peddle conspiracy theories and attack political opponents. But now, it seems he’s trying to use the crisis to advance his party’s ongoing campaign of voter suppression – the latest chapter in a long history.
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Fiona Bruce’s comment about ‘lower-skilled workers’ wasn’t just a gaffe. It reveals much, much more.
With one misinformed insult, the BBC has notched another low point in its long history of flagrant bias against the working class. But this wasn’t just a careless gaffe; it shines a light onto the intellectual underpinnings of the power structures that maintain the status quo. Deeper analysis shows that this kind of thinking serves an important function in generating acceptance of the absurdities of modern capitalism.
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Coronavirus outbreak calls for new era in our relationship with animals
As The Canary has previously argued, the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak has prompted profound questions about how to reorganize human society in its aftermath. Now, a new report from a major US animal welfare organization has pointed out that we must also confront fundamental questions about humanity’s relationship with the animal world.
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We shouldn’t mourn the loss of high street fashion giants. They represent some of the worst aspects of globalization.
On both sides of the Atlantic major retail clothing chains have been struggling in the midst of coronavirus-related (Covid-19) shutdown measures. Economic commentators have been fretting about the potential fallout. Yet, although the inevitable loss of jobs is regrettable, we shouldn’t mourn the decline of these ‘fast fashion’ giants. In many respects, they represent all that is wrong and destructive about unfettered corporate globalization.
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Obama’s halo is slipping, and that’s a good thing
One of the major chapters in the so-called ‘Russiagate’ saga recently came to an end, sparking the beginning of what has become known by some as ‘Obamagate’. US president Donald Trump has been reacting in his usual manner. But on this occasion, as with many others, Barack Obama and the liberal establishment are largely being given a free pass in the mainstream media. And that needs to be called out also.
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A dramatic sea invasion of Venezuela by US mercenaries shows just how bizarre the coup attempt has become
A new coup attempt in Venezuela has failed, right in the middle of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. And it shows just how bizarre the longstanding regime-change efforts have become.
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The brazen hypocrisy of establishment Democrats’ response to sexual assault allegations against Joe Biden
Trigger Warning: this article discusses allegations of sexual assault that some readers may find disturbing.
New developments about sexual assault allegations against presumptive Democratic Party presidential nominee Joe Biden hit the headlines last week. And the response from senior figures within his party has been revealing. By reflexively defending Biden (and thereby tacitly implying his accuser is lying), they have perfectly demonstrated the Democratic establishment’s shameless hypocrisy and tribalism. Worse still, this has gifted Trump and his supporters, allowing them to argue that different standards are being applied to Biden than those that have been applied to them. And sadly, they have a point.
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