· March, 2009

Below are posts about citizen media in French. Don't miss Global Voices en Français, where Global Voices posts are translated into French! Read about our Lingua project to learn more about how Global Voices content is being translated into other languages.

Stories about French from March, 2009

France, Americas, Africa: The “Y'a Bon” Awards

  30 March 2009

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: 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.

Madagascar: Fear of More Strife After President's Resignation

  19 March 2009

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.

Madagascar: A Changing of the Guard?

  16 March 2009

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

  12 March 2009

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, reduces mortality related to surgicial complications by a third.

Madagascar: Is military rule next?

  11 March 2009

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?

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 art. He recently made a book [Fr] that includes quotes from this blog and drawings inspired by the events on...

Madagascar: “I feel like in a war movie”

  4 March 2009

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

  3 March 2009

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 artists, in a post entitled “Lyriks kont Pwofitasyon” [Creole] (lyrics against all sorts of abuse).

Africa: Winners of the First African Blog Award for Journalists Are…

  2 March 2009

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.

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