· November, 2010

Stories about Citizen Media from November, 2010

Russia: Competing Models of Internet Politics

RuNet Echo  30 November 2010

RuNet becomes an arena of the competition of at least two concepts of the usage of the cyberspace: "United Russia"'s formula "Internet instead of democracy" and independent, grass-roots formula "Internet as a free environment for civil society initiatives." Alexey Sidorenko analyzed the recent trends of the role of the Internet in contemporary Russian politics.

Take Back the Tech to Eliminate Violence Against Women

  29 November 2010

The global campaign Take Back the Tech! started on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This year it is focused on developing actions that defend women's right to freedom and expression and information. Global Voices interviews Erika Smith, the Association of Progressive Communications Women's Networking Support Program communications coordinator.

Brazil: Youth using citizen media to chronicle Rio violence

  28 November 2010

Young residents in the Complexo do Alemão favelas in Rio de Janeiro have begun using social and citizen media to chronicle the recent wave of violence spreading through the city. Seventeen-year-old aspiring journalist Rene Silva has set up a Twitter account, @vozdacomunidade (voice of the community) [pt], to monitor the police occupation of...

Brazil: Bloggers react to wave of violence in Rio de Janeiro

  26 November 2010

A recent wave of violence has frightened residents of Rio de Janeiro and reignited a familiar public debate on security in the city. A great wave of panic, in part brought on by the mainstream media, also brings to the fore a new problem: the great proliferation of false rumors on the internet.

Fiji: Government explains deportation of Fiji Water boss

  26 November 2010

Fiji's government says David Roth, Fiji Water’s local representative, was kicked out of the country because he was interfering with internal affairs. Is this the real reason? What will the deportation mean for other foreign investors? And what about Fiji's bottom line?

Armenia-Azerbaijan: Does culture unite or divide?

  25 November 2010

With a recent survey indicating that the majority of Armenians and Azerbaijanis are against mutual friendship, hopes for peace between the two neighboring countries appear very bleak indeed. Recent developments, including in the sphere of culture, appear to support that notion, but is there any hope?

Ecuador: “Clean Quito” Campaign Fights Chewing Gum

  24 November 2010

Have you ever thought about how much it costs a municipality to remove chewing gum stuck to the pavement? Thousands of dollars in street cleaning are spent to fight this habit of discarding chewing gum on the ground. In Quito, the municipal government and several schools began a campaign that seeks to remove gum from the ground and make the capital cleaner.

Bolivia: 229 Years Since the Sacrifice of Tupac Katari

  23 November 2010

The story of the uprising of the indigenous freedom fighters has been passed down from generation to generation in the indigenous communities of Bolivia. This rebellious movement was led some 229 years ago by Tupac Katari and remembrance events will take place during the month of November.

North Korea/South Korea: Deadly Skirmish, Live On Twitter

  23 November 2010

North Korea has fired more than a hundred artillery rockets at South Korea's YeonPyeong Island near its western border, killing two South Korean marines, injuring at least a dozen and setting buildings on fire. South Koreans have used Twitter to vent their angers, fears and worries.

Panama: Retirees Protest With Street Closures

  20 November 2010

Street closures and peaceful protests have marked the claims of retirees who call for an increase in their pensions. Twitter reactions are almost all against these measures that affect everyone. However, there are those who see the closure of streets as the only viable option.

China: Educated youth face a tough future

  20 November 2010

China Media Project translates an article by Yu Jianrong about educated youth in China, which can be divided into two groups. The first one are privileged by their access to wealth and power. The second, and much larger, group lack this privilege. It is the latter group which face a...

Pakistan: The Cost Of Sacrifice

  18 November 2010

Five Rupees is surprised to learn about the large number of animals slaughtered in Pakistan during the Eid-Ul-Azha festivities and the huge cost associated with it.