Stories about Citizen Media from November, 2008
World AIDS Day: Blogging Positively
This year marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day, which takes place every year on December 1. Though the impact of HIV and AIDS is felt by millions of people globally every day, this particular day can help bring much-needed attention to the disease. The theme for this year's...
Brazil under flood: Bloggers form solidarity networks
While mainstream media was first slow to report news of the grave floods that have devastated the south of Brazil and then sensationalized the tragedy, bloggers responded by creating a network of support. This post explores the difference in the approaches between conventional media professionals and amateur and freelancer produced news blogs.
Blogging Positively: Live Chat about HIV/AIDS on December 3
Rising Voices and Global Voices are holding a live online chat for bloggers and activists on Wednesday, December 3, 2008 (3pm Nairobi time) on how to use citizen media to help improve awareness and information about the AIDS epidemic. The chat will be facilitated by Kenyan bloggers Serina Kalande and...
Nigeria: Hundreds of deaths in post-election riots
Hundreds of people were reportedly killed in the violence that erupted in Jos, Plateau State, Central Nigeria on Friday after a disputed local election. Nigerian bloggers respond.
Iran: Do not Execute Farzad Kamangar
Several human rights activists and bloggers warned that Farzad Kamangar, a teacher and trade unionist may be executed in the near future in Iran. Farzad Kamangar, who is from Kurdistan province in Iran, is accused of being affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
Jordan: Amman's November Fuel Crisis
When Jordan's government proposed adjusting fuel prices according to the rise and fall in the international markets on a weekly basis, gas station owners protested and for a period of about 10 days refused to buy fuel from the main refinery demanding that prices are to be adjusted on a monthly basis. That, in turn, resulted in a severe shortage in fuel from many gas stations in Amman. Bloggers picked up the issue, and here is what some of them had to say.
Are Women making Egypt Poorer?
Women: Should they stay at home and raise kids or should they work and have a contribution? A controversial question that Fantasia's World tried to answer in her post: Are you making your country poorer?
India: Who are they, and what is the Media saying?
Smoke Signals slams the mainstream media coverage of the event, as the television screens are filled with almost panic inducing sequences, and hurried question and answer sessions. At the time that this post is being written, the gun battles are still going on in at least one of the hotels...
Taiwanese version of Thanksgiving
Seeing Americans have Thanksgiving holidays, Arkun tries to search for similar festival in Taiwan and finds a similar counterpart, the peace ritual ceremony...
Thailand: Protesters occupy airports
Thousands of anti-government protesters have occupied Bangkok’s two airports which paralyzed air travel in Thailand. The protesters want the elected government to be removed.
Nicaragua: Post-Election Violence and Accusations of Fraud
After the municipal elections on November 9 in Nicaragua, there were conflicting claims of victory by the ruling Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) led by President Daniel Ortega and the Liberal Constitutionalist Party. The opposition accused the FSLN of massive election fraud and which resulted in street demonstrations, protests and clashes between the two groups. Nicaraguan bloggers provide their thoughts on the post-election atmosphere.
Georgia: Armenian Church Scandal
With the ever strengthening power of the Orthodox Church in Georgia causing concern for democracy and human rights activists, bloggers were first to report on attempts to seize a derelict Armenian church in the capital, Tbilisi.
Mumbai: The Taj Hotel Burns
Photographs are appearing on flickr and elsewhere, allowing us a glimpse beyond the visuals provided by mainstream media. Arun Shanbhag has a post full of photographs – from blood pools, to chalk marks and a burning Taj Hotel. More of his photographs on flickr here. A photograph of the Taj...
Israel: Sending Help and Sympathy to Mumbai
Western countries awoke today to news of a widespread attack on the city of Mumbai, India that occurred Wednesday night and continued through Thursday, killing 101 people and wounding hundreds more. Many Israeli bloggers are following the events in Mumbai with an all too familiar apprehension and are posting regular updates of the hostage situation, writes Maya Norton from Israel.
Terror in Mumbai: Theories, strategies and more Media
An online list of people who are injured, in hospitals or reported dead has been put up on a google spreadsheet. The spreadsheet has details of people's names and which hospitals they are in. At Mahalo, a comprehensive link list is being updated with links to various sources of information....
Jamaica: Punishable by Death
As a country struggling with spiraling rates of violent crime, Jamaica has voted to re-introduce the death penalty, despite appeals from Amnesty International and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The atmosphere on the island nation is tense, with the prevailing attitude appearing to be, in the words of blogger Kadene Porter, "Blood fi blood and fyah fi fyah."
India: Political will, terrorism and Mumbai
Even as the unfolding hostage situation in Mumbai escalates, more reactions on the blogosphere – from India and other places. Desipundit has pulled in links from various blogs – highlighting posts – from experience, to shock, despair and rage. The article on the attacks over at Wikipedia is an excellent...
Bangladesh: Bangla blogs react to the Mumbai terror attacks
This post is part of the Global Voices coverage on the terror attacks in Mumbai, India on November 26, 2008. Please stay tuned for more news and views as the event unfolds. The Bangla blogosphere reacted to the Mumbai terror attacks with concern. Condolences poured in with bloggers such as...
China: Worry on the striking, 4-trillion stimulus plan
Global economy is stumbling, and neither can China stay out of the trouble. On 9, Nov, a striking stimulus plan, totally of 4 trillion yuan, was announced to public by the central government. Stock market was encouraged, so was the confidence of global market as it signals China’s pledge to...
Angola: Children as young as 6 face accusations of witchcraft
Children as young as six years old have been accused of witchcraft and abandoned, mistreated, tortured and even killed in Angola, where such accusations are deemed valid. Clara Onofre investigates this practice advised by members of illegal churches and seemingly not related to local peoples' historical traditions.
Brazil: Over 80 deaths in the worst environmental tragedy
Over 80 people have been killed in landslides and floods caused by heavy rain in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, and the death toll is rising by the minute, as rescue workers sift through the wreckage of the flooding that started at the weekend.
