Latest news with #politicalopposition
New York Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Trump Moves to Silence a New Target
The Trump Administration has been open about using its power to quash political opposition. So perhaps it shouldn't be surprising that the administration is trying to stop advertisers and brands from boycotting right-leaning businesses. The latest maneuver comes from the Federal Trade Commission. Last month, it announced that it would approve the merger of two of the biggest ad agencies in the world only if the parties agree to an unusual condition: The merged company cannot refuse to place ads on websites for political reasons. The move was a sharp break from its traditional practice. The F.T.C. is usually focused on such concerns as consumer protection and monopoly power; now it's trying to dictate where businesses advertise their products. While the move would theoretically affect platforms of any political persuasion, there's little doubt that it is a thinly veiled attempt to prop up X. Formerly known as Twitter, the platform suffered an advertiser exodus after Elon Musk took it over and began using it to promote right-wing talking points, including antisemitism and conspiracy theories. In 2023, dozens of advertisers suspended their spending after two media watchdog groups, the Center for Countering Digital Hate and Media Matters, revealed how X was profiting from accounts that spread hate and misinformation and that major brands' ads were appearing near pro-Nazi content. X responded by suing both the watchdog groups, as well as an advertising trade group and several leading advertisers it accused of illegally boycotting its business. Then in May, the F.T.C. began investigating roughly a dozen advertising and advocacy groups including Media Matters to determine if they were engaged in a conspiracy or collusion by encouraging advertisers to boycott X and other websites. Media Matters has since sued the F.T.C., but in the meantime, the organization has dialed back its criticism and is considering closing in the face of steep legal fees. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Cameroon opposition leader banned from challenging world's oldest president
Cameroon's opposition leader Maurice Kamto has been excluded from the list of candidates in the 12 October presidential election. Only 13 of the 83 names submitted to the country's electoral body Elecam were accepted. No reason was given for the decision not to allow Kamto to stand. He came second in the 2018 elections amid allegations of fraud. President Paul Biya, 92, the world's oldest president, was included on the list and he will seek an eighth term in office. Defying calls to step down, he says he still has a lot to offer Cameroonians despite being in power for nearly 43 years. Biya will be challenged by two former allies, Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari, who both come from the vote-rich north of the country. Social media revamp by 92-year-old president struggles to woo young Cameroonians Kamto was the candidate for the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM) in 2018 but the party was not allowed to endorse anyone this year due to its lack of elected representatives in parliament or local councils. So Kamto recently joined the Manidem party, which does have local representation. Renowned anti-corruption lawyer Akere Muna, Social Democratic Front (SDF) leader Joshua Osih, and lawmaker Cabral Libii are among the other candidates cleared to run. Firebrand Mayor of Foumban Patricia Tomaino Ndam Njoya is the only female candidate on the list. Those disqualified from the presidential race have two days to file a challenge at the constitutional council. More about Cameroon from the BBC: 'Nowhere is safe' - Cameroonians trapped between separatists and soldiers Art curator Koyo Kouoh dies at height of career The lawyer risking everything to defend LGBT rights Paul Biya: Cameroon's 'absentee president' Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts Africa Daily Focus on Africa Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Former MSNBC star Joy Reid makes surprising announcement about her political leanings
Former MSNBC host Joy Reid has revealed that she's become disillusioned with the Democratic Party to the point where she's 'barely hanging on'. The left-wing commentator said she believes the current Democrat line-up is fueling Donald Trump 's agenda by failing to provide effective political opposition. 'I've been a Democrat since I was old enough to vote, but I'm barely hanging on,' Reid told The Breakfast Club podcast on Tuesday. 'At this point, the party is not bigger than the future of my kids. I have three children, that have to live in this country as black people, and fascism doesn't work for me. 'I'm not willing to cede the country to Trumpism and MAGA simply because I'm clinging to this party.' Reid added that the party desperately needs a new leader, and a fresh ideology. She blasted Trump as having 'no actual talent' - but he still beat the Democrats. 'You have to blow up the whole Democratic Party,' she said. 'I feel like the Democrats need a whole new ideology, because they lost to that,' Reid added, referring to Trump. 'So what does it say about them? You got to just blow it all up. There's nothing to be said from anybody in that old regime.' She defended Joe Biden 's former press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre for also expressing her dissatisfaction with the party, and leaving to become an independent. 'People getting all mad at Karine Jean-Pierre for saying she's' done with the party - I'm not mad at that because at this point, who cares what the party label is? 'Give me an effective fighter. If Jasmine Crockett is the most effective fighter, give me Jasmine Crockett,' Reid said, referring to the progressive Democrat Texas congresswoman. 'And I really don't care what you have to move around or who you have to disappoint in order to give me her. Just give me her because we need a leader.' A recent CNN poll indicated that left-leaning voters are not drawn to any particular politician to lead their party to victory in the next presidential election. The survey showed that liberals believe New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is the person who best reflects the party's key principles. However, there wasn't a clear winner and many respondents had no opinion at all. The survey asked Democrats and Democratic-leaning Independent voters which politician best reflects the core values of the Democratic Party today. Ten percent of voters chose AOC while former Vice President Kamala Harris was a close second with nine percent of the votes. Sanders came in third with eight percent while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries was placed fourth with six percent. Former President Barack Obama and Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett were tied for fifth with four percent. Obama has already served two terms as president and cannot run again. California Governor Gavin Newsom, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer were all tied at two percent. Pelosi is 85 now and will be closing in on 89 by the time of the 2029 inauguration. Another fifteen Democrats including some lawmakers and governors each received one percent of the votes, while a whopping 26 percent of respondents had no opinion. Trump allies greeted the results of the poll as good news as the progressive Democratic congresswoman has long been accused of being too far left by moderates. Conservative political commentator Ben Shapiro also shared the poll on his show, dubbing the results 'brutal' for Democrats. He claimed the New York Congresswoman is 'totally out of touch with most Americans.' The survey conducted March 6-9 included 1,206 respondents and has a margin of error of 3.3 percentage points.
Bloomberg
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Turkey Arrests Journalist for Threatening Erdogan, NTV Reports
Turkish authorities arrested a prominent local journalist on charges of threatening President Recep Tayyip Erdogan amid an intensifying crackdown on political opposition. Fatih Altayli was taken from his residence late on Saturday after the Istanbul Prosecutor's office opened an investigation into comments he made on social media. He was placed under arrest on Sunday, NTV television reported.
Reuters
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Tunisian court hands 15‑year sentence to opposition figure Sahbi Atig
TUNIS, June 20 (Reuters) - A Tunisian court has sentenced Sahbi Atig, a senior official in Ennahda, the country's main opposition party, to 15 years in prison on charges of money laundering, his lawyer said on Friday, the latest move against opposition figures under President Kais Saied. Atig was detained in 2023, one of many opponents of Saied who have been imprisoned since the president began expanding his powers in 2021, dissolving parliament and ruling by decree in what critics have denounced as a coup. Saied has said that all his steps are legal and aimed at ending years of rampant corruption and holding accountable what he calls a corrupt elite. Atig denied the charges against him, saying they were fabricated. "The verdict aims to eliminate political opponents and lacks any credible evidence,' Atig's lawyer, Mokthar Jmaayi, told Reuters. "It is a continuation of the punishment of opponents by using the judiciary and distracting people from their real problems,' he added. The 15-year sentence was shorter than some sentences handed down recently. In April, a court sentenced a string of opposition leaders, businessmen and lawyers to prison terms of up to 66 years, on charges of conspiring. Saied has dissolved the Supreme Judicial Council and dismissed dozens of judges in 2022, raising concerns about judicial independence. The president has said he does not interfere in the judiciary and that his actions aim to purge the judiciary of corrupt judges. Most of the leaders of political parties in Tunisia are in prison, including Abir Moussi, leader of the Free Constitutional Party, and Rached Ghannouchi, the head of Ennahda - two of Saied's most prominent opponents.
