· May, 2012

Stories about Citizen Media from May, 2012

Kazakhstan: 12 Border Guards Found Dead After a Blaze

Following reports that 12 border guards have been found dead in a burnt-out frontier post in southeastern Kazakhstan [ru] and the lack of immediate reaction from the authorities, local blogger Almazinho1978 writes [ru]: “At the very least, they could have declared a period of official mourning… My condolences to the relatives...

Cuba: Bloggers Discuss Mariela Castro's US Visit

  31 May 2012

On the heels of United States President Barack Obama's support for gay marriage, Mariela Castro, the daughter of Cuban President Raul Castro and Director of the country's Centro Nacional de Educación Sexual (National Center for Sex Education), has been addressing gay rights activists during her tour of the United States. Her trip has been stirring up some controversy in the Cuban blogosphere.

Russia: #OccupySeliger?

Earlier this week, blogger and photographer Dmitri Ternovsky starred in the latest Nashi controversy, announcing on that he has agreed to lead the "Politics and Civic Society" section of pro-Kremlin group Nashi's 2012 summer festival at Lake Seliger. Dubbing the initiative "#OccupySeliger," Ternovsky says that he hopes to expand the opposition's message to a new audience.

Uzbekistan: Facebook Clone is Launched

YouFace is a new social networking site launched in Uzbekistan. Its interface is strikingly similar to that of Facebook except that YouFace quotes Uzbek President Islam Karimov on its welcome page. Another local social networking platform, the Uzbek-language Muloqot.uz, was established about a year ago.

South Sudan: Blogging the Newest Country in the World

  31 May 2012

South Sudan declared its independence on 9 July 2011 to become the world's newest country. We have compiled a list of blogs with regular reports, analyses, updates, and opinions relating to South Sudan. These blogs cover a variety of subjects such as gender, politics, language, health and humanitarian work.

Syria: Curating @TweetWeekSyria

Have you heard about Rotation Curation? It is the process of rotating the spokesperson on a social media account. It was originated in December 2011, when a project called Curators of Sweden was launched, handing the official Twitter account @Sweden to a new Swedish person every week. Now this initiative has...

Brazil: More TV Humiliation of Young Man

  31 May 2012

Brazilian journalist Rodrigo de Almeida denounces [pt] the existence of a longer video of that shown in the GV post (from May 26, 2012) about the TV humiliation of a young man. The video shows the host of the TV show Brasil Urgente, Uziel Bueno, going further in the humiliation...

Portugal: Police Evicts Squatted Building in Lisbon

  31 May 2012

Going against an injunction approved by the Supreme Court of Lisbon, the police evicted today, May 31, the collective São Lázaro – “the only public squat in the capital” of Portugal. There are reports [pt] of detentions and violence. The activist platform Tugaleaks is sharing updates on its Facebook wall.

Bangladesh: Questions Over Indian ‘Tourism City’ Investment Proposal

  31 May 2012

The story of a 10 Billion Taka (US$120 million) investment in Bangladesh has made it into the country's headlines, following a visit by Subrata Roy Sahara, chairman of Sahara India Pariwar, one of India's largest business conglomerates. The group are planning to develop a 40 square kilometre housing project situated approximately 50 kilometres from Bangladesh's capital Dhaka.

Sri Lanka: Cast As A Mother

  30 May 2012

One year ago – 13 Sri Lankan women of the Stage were invited to look at their experiences of motherhood, through the lens of theatre and write about them. At the Passing Stage blog you can follow their progress.

Brazil: Questions Surrounding Rio's ‘Pacifying Police’ Units

  30 May 2012

The state government of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, has adopted a security policy based on the installation of Pacifying Police Units who tackle crime in favelas (shanty towns) but also promote social policies. But there are questions about the motivations behind this strategy and whether the voices of residents are being heard.

Greece: Citizens Protest Against Major TV Station

  30 May 2012

Greek netizens via Twitter and other social media organized a protest on May 17 before the MEGA TV station in Athens, under hashtag #oloimega (All to Mega). The station has been accused of allegedly displaying government driven propaganda. Stathis Kalligeris released a photo collection on Demotix, while Peru21.pe offers [es] a...

Ethiopia: EPRDF’s Anniversary: What is There to Celebrate?

  30 May 2012

The Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Front (EPRDF) celebrated its 21st anniversary on 28 May. Some Ethiopians consider the day a ‘National Day’ while others see it as a day when one oppressive regime replaced another one. Netizens have taken to blogs and Facebook to reflect on EPRDF anniversary.

Zambia: Mixed Feelings Greet Big Brother Eviction

  29 May 2012

The eviction of Zambia’s representative, musician popularly known as Mampi, from the on-going Big Brother Africa, has been received with mixed feelings from netizens. Big Brother Africa: StarGame is the seventh series of Africa's most popular reality television series.