Stories about French from March, 2009
France, Americas, Africa: The “Y'a Bon” Awards
On March 17th 2009, a group called les Indivisibles [Fr] launched the “Y'a Bon Awards”, a dubious honour bestowed upon politicians, journalists, or any public officials who have contributed to the spreading of racism in France. The Awards have sprung from reactions to a century-long advertising campaign that has not sat well with most black people in France.
Tunisia: Outcry over Italian Court's Verdict on Tunisian Pilots
Two Tunisian pilots of Tuninter Flight 1153, which crash landed in the sea off Sicily in 2005 killing 16 people, were sentenced to 10 years in prison by an Italian court. The decision is being contested by Tunisian bloggers, who say the pilots' heroic efforts in saving the 23 other passengers on board should have been celebrated.
Tunisia: Dismissed Student Activists on Hunger Strike for the Right to Education
A total of 158 Tunisians and their friends from around the world went on hunger strike for a day today (March 26) in solidarity with five students who have been on hunger strike since February 11 in Tunisia. The initiative has been orchestrated on a Facebook group [Fr] as a symbolic form of support to the students, who are members of Tunisian Students' Union (UGET), and who have been suspended from university for their activism on campus.
Tunisia: Bloggers Divided on Qaradawi's Visit
Discussions continue in the Tunisian blogosphere following the visit of Egyptian Islamic scholar Yousif Qaradawi, who is based in Qatar, to the secular country two weeks ago. Lina Ben Mhenni reports from a divided blogosphere.
Madagascar: Fear of More Strife After President's Resignation
The power struggle that has plagued Madagascar since January may have come to an end. Yesterday, after attempts by Andry Rajoelina supporters to remove President Marc Ravalomanana from office, the army, which has now sided with Rajoelina, took control of the presidential palace in Ambotsirohatra. Bloggers were divided between joy over Ravalomanana's exit and anxiety over what Rajoelina's leadership will bring.
Tunisia: Covert Censorship of a Newspaper!
The editor of Al Mawfek accuses the Tunisian goverment of executing a "seizure in disguise" last week to censor the independent newspaper.
Madagascar: A Changing of the Guard?
The Madagascar crisis may have reached a major turning point: the beginning of the end of the President Marc Ravalomanana's regime. While there is still confusion about who is currently in charge, the army seems to have chosen to stand with former mayor Andry Rajoelina. The prime minister's office, as well as the national TV, are now under Rajoelina's control. Twitterers in Madagascar described events as they unfolded.
Medical checklist reduces surgical deaths
Le Pangolin [Fr] writes about a surgery checklist piloted in hospitals in 8 countries, including the United States and Tanzania. Studies show the checklist, designed by American doctor Atul Gawande,...
Madagascar: Is military rule next?
News of a mutiny at one of Antananarivo's most important barracks stunned Madagascar yesterday. The mutiny has since spread to other barracks and Madagascar's Defence Minister, Vice-Admiral Mamy Ranaivoniarivo, has resigned. Is Madagascar coming under military rule?
Madagascar: Amidst Turmoil, Media Misinformation and Hard Truths
More than a month and a half into the crisis in Madagascar, confusion grows crescendo as the power struggle between the president and a former mayor vying for the presidency extends, leaving many wondering when the political stalemate will end.
Israel Yoroba wins West African blog award
Congratulation to Ivoirian blogger Israel Yoroba, in Dakar this week to accept an award for best blog written by a West African journalist [Fr].
International Women's Day: “All women are queens”
Yesterday was International Women's Day, and francophone bloggers around the world used music, poetry and art to honor the beauty, achievements, and continuing struggles of women.
DRC: “We have to stop believing in Santa Claus”
Musengeshi Katata at Forum Realisance [Fr] calls Africa Must Reclaim Her Destiny, published by Harmattan in Paris, a “must read”. Katata writes, “We have to stop believing in Santa Claus...
Palestine: Book Based on Gazan Blog
Posts from the group blog Moments of Gaza are part of a new book: “Maximilien Le Roy [Fr] from France, showed his kind support to Gaza and its victims through...
Madagascar: “I feel like in a war movie”
The political crisis in Madagascar, unfolding since late January, took yet another turn today with the sound of gun shots and tear gas, as police and protestors clashed all over Antananarivo, the capital city. Eyewitnesses describe the scene on Facebook and Twitter.
Guadeloupe: Songs to support the strike
Kam who blogs at Fwiyapin shows [Fr] how instrumental music and chants have played a part in the recent social movement in Guadeloupe, by quoting the latest songs of Guadeloupean...
Martinique, Guadeloupe: “Threat” of Independence
Martinican blogger Imaniyé expresses [Fr] her surprise at the fact that whenever French West Indians speak out to claim their rights, the French Government replies with a “threat” of independence.
Haiti: Carnival or Nothing!
The succession of disasters in Haiti in 2008 like the hurricanes Ike, Hannah and Gustav and the tragic collapse of a primary school in November, in Pétionville, has probably made the celebration of Carnival even more relevant and necessary in Haiti this year.
Africa: Winners of the First African Blog Award for Journalists Are…
The winners of Waxal - Blogging Africa Awards (BAA) have been announced. Waxal is an initiative of Panos Institute of West Africa (PIWA) with the partnership of Highway Africa and Global Voices Online (Sub-Saharan Africa). Waxal (pronounced WA-HAL), which means “speak” in Wolof, captures the essence of the evolution of the worlwide web as a platform for conversation and for raising marginalized voices.
