· October, 2007

Stories about Citizen Media from October, 2007

Azerbaijan: Economic Growth

  30 October 2007

Steady State examines Azerbaijan's record growth and says that it looks as though the country will register the strongest economic growth worldwide for the fourth year in succession. However, a note of caution is also sounded. Economic growth recorded in just a few sectors also has its problems.

Armenia: Former President Makes Political Comeback

  27 October 2007

In what can be considered one of the most important political developments in the short 16-year history of Armenia as an independent former-Soviet republic, the country's first president, Levon Ter Petrosian, announced his intention to run again for office in the presidential election to be held early next year. Ter...

DRC: Che Guevara on Laurent Kabila

  24 October 2007

History speaks as Congolese blogger Alex Engwete translates (Fr) Che Guevara's pessimistic assessment of Laurent Kabila‘s potential to become a revolutionary leader: “He lets things drag on forever without caring about anything other than internal quarrels, and he also devoted to women and drink…”

Haiti, USA: Identity check

  13 October 2007

An encounter with a fellow Haitian-American at a Florida airport prompts Peggy Brunache to muse over questions of identity and “the realisation of reality”.

Suriname: Photographing Fort Zeelandia

  13 October 2007

A visit to Fort Zeelandia in Suriname makes Trinidadian Taran Rampersad realise that “not all culture is as free as on the web”. He also posts photos of the fort at Flickr.

Guyana: No to Buju Banton

  13 October 2007

Guyana's Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination condemns an upcoming performance by Jamaican dancehall performer Buju Banton.

Dominica: Dengue fever

  13 October 2007

Living Dominica describes “life under a mosquito net” as the island copes with an outbreak of dengue fever.

Free Speech Roundup: China, UAE, Jordan, Iran and more

  12 October 2007

Two interesting documents related to Internet censorship and circumvention were published recently: “Everyone's Guide to By-Passing Internet Censorship for Citizens Worldwide”, released by The University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab and a “Journey to the Heart of Internet censorship” in China, released by RSF and Chinese Human Rights Defenders, and written by an anonymous Chinese technician. In Jordan sending emails and writing online poems can send you to jail. And, is Facebook blocked in the United Arab Emirates?

Guyana: Guns vs iPods

  12 October 2007

What costs more in Guyana, a 9-mm gun or an MP3 player? Guyana Providence Stadium provides some stark figures.

Barbados: Blank search warrants?

  12 October 2007

Have Barbados police been using “blank, pre-signed search warrants” to raid the houses of citizens? Barbados Free Press examines the evidence.

Jamaica: Uncertain paternity

  12 October 2007

Jamaica and the World reacts to surprising news about paternity tests in Jamaica: a third of the men who take them discover they are not really the fathers of their supposed children.

Uganda: Of Cons, Cars And Losing a Job Because Of a Blog

  11 October 2007

This week, Ugandan Insomniac poses an always pressing question that sets the tone for much discourse, "Why are millions of Ugandans still living in abject poverty when an increasing number of people in the country can afford a brand new set of wheels and personalized number plates every year?"

Dominica: Thinking about volcanoes

  11 October 2007

“Dominica is home to one of the highest concentrations of volcanoes on the planet.” Living Dominica wonders if “we are overdue for an eruption here”.