The Immense Cost of The Loss of Media Objectivity

In journalism, there seems to be no room for objectivity, and the media are entering a new era, as they have started to use this in their favour. Emanating from our universities, one idea in particular – more accurately an instance of sleight of hand – sends ripples through how we think of the world […] Read more

Can Humanism Provide Answers to Global Inequities?

  A Time For Reflection This August, the International Humanist and Ethical Union’s conference in New Zealand presents an opportunity to assess the state of humanism in the world, to take stock of the progress the movement has made towards promoting the humanist outlook globally. This meeting is an occasion for reflection, especially by those […] Read more

What Really Drives Populism? A Conversation with Dr. Frank Mols

Scott Douglas Jacobsen: Your work has focused on a specific paradox between the acquisition of wealth and the “hardening” of attitudes or stances on issues. What does this mean? How is wealth defined in this work and the hardening of attitudes here? Dr Frank Mols: For many decades, the debate about populism and far-right voting has […] Read more

Terror and Repression In Nicaragua – Living When Death May Come Anytime

Nicaragua is gripped by protests and catastrophic levels of violence. This insider’s account highlights to the rest of the world the extent of the crisis. Editors Note: This account relates to the ongoing campaign of terror and brutality being visited upon Nicaraguans, suffering under the brutal repression of protests by President Daniel Ortega. Demonstrations first […] Read more

Universal Pharmacare Coverage: Perspective from the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences

There are few downsides to a Universal Pharmacare programme, as Professor Gordon Guyatt, university professor and Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences points out. Scott Douglas Jacobsen: Who does or would benefit from universal pharmacare coverage? I ask these questions because of the conversation in Canada at the moment. Canada has a national […] Read more

Why Jihadists Strike During Ramadan

Violent acts of jihadist terrorism during Ramadan, though newly popularized by IS (ISIS), have deeper and older theological roots  The holy month of Ramadan has for decades in the West been seized upon as an opportunity to reject division and promote interfaith dialogue-a month of peace. Celebratory White House and Downing Street iftars are commonplace […] Read more