Stories about Citizen Media from November, 2012
Egyptians Want to Overthrow Mursolini
Egyptians are back at the epi-centre of the Egyptian revolution, in Tahrir Square, in downtown Cairo, where they are protesting sweeping powers their newly elected president Mohamed Mursi has granted himself. They include a rushed draft constitution announced today (Nov 30, 2012), penned by an Islamist-led assembly, which has new Islamic references to Egypt's system of government as well as clauses which infringe on women's rights and freedom of speech.
40,000 Syrian Lives Lost in 20 Months
According to human rights organizations, more than 40,000 Syrians have been killed during the 20 months conflict in Syria. The violence in Syria has caused rapid deterioration of the humanitarian situation, where 4 million people expected to require assistance in Syria by early 2013, writes Rami Alhames
Ecuadorian Blogger Paúl Moreno Detained
Ecuadorian blogger Paúl Moreno (@paulcoyote) [es] was detained [es] on charges of fraudulent access to computer systems and databases, after publishing a post [es] where he explains how he accessed the information of President Rafael Correa to show the vulnerability of the site www.www.datoseguro.gob.ec [es]. Twitter users have set up...
The Surreality of Russian eDemocracy
The Coordinating Council of the Russian Opposition met for second time on November 24, 2012. In keeping with the its online origins, participants and audience members actively tweeted updates and excerpts from the four-hour-long meeting. RuNet Echo has translated an excerpt of the minutes, featuring eDemocracy in action.
Tajikistan Blocks Popular News Website
The higher the walls they are building, cutting people off from the outside world, the more willing people are to destroy the walls and bury those who build them under the bricks.
Chinese Netizens React: People’s Daily Fooled by The Onion
Chinese newspaper People’s Daily made a fool of itself this week when it seriously reported that the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was named Sexiest Man Alive by The Onion, a satire newspaper from the United States.
Wiping Out Ethiopia's History for the Sake of Development
Ethiopian netizens react to unconfirmed reports circulating online that iconic statues of Emperor Menelik II and Pope Abule Petros might be destroyed because of the construction of an Addis Ababa rail tunnel.
Will China's New Leadership Bring More Freedom of Press?
China Central Television (CCTV) has always been considered as government propaganda. However, the past week has seen progress in its news coverage, including that of Ren Jiayu, a young man who was sent to labor camp for Internet speech. Chinese netizens are wondering: will the new leadership bring more freedom of...
Trinidad & Tobago: Kublalsingh's Hunger Strike Continues; So Does the Debate
Dr. Wayne Kublalsingh's ongoing hunger strike to protest the proposed route of a highway in south-western Trinidad is raising questions of transparency, good governance and the approach to political debate. Some bloggers feel that the current administration is out of touch with the needs of the people and they are concerned about the way in which the government is dealing with dissident voices.
‘Industrial Scale’ Hunting of Migratory Amur Falcons in Nagaland, India
Each year thousands of migratory Amur falcons are hunted by locals in the Indian State of Nagaland during their passage through that region. On November 1, 2012, Shashank Dalvi and Ramki Sreenivasan first documented the massacre at ‘Conservation India‘ site and the news went viral on social media which resulted in a ban on capturing or killing of the raptors.
“My Vote Under Arrest” Support for Iran's Opposition Leaders
Iranian former presidential candidates and Green Movement leaders, Mir-Hossein Mousavi, and Mehdi Karroub have been under house arrest for around 650 days. A group of Iranian netizens have turned to social media to raise awareness and push for their release.
Tajik Official Blocks Facebook and Summons its CEO
The chief of the state-run telecommunications service in Tajikistan has ordered Facebook blocked and asked the social network's CEO to travel to the Central Asian country and meet with him. Tajik internet users now ridicule the official.
Tortured Sudanese Female Journalist Speaks Up
Sudanese journalist Sumaya Ismail Hundosa, 34, was abducted from near her house on October 29, 2012, later to be found thrown inside a mud pit in a remote area in Khartoum on November 2, 2012, five days after her abduction. As the details of Hundosa's unprecedented torture unfolded, Sudanese netizens largely responded with shock and outrage, showing sympathy and solidarity with the journalist, writes Usamah Mohamed
Ten Years after Attempt on Ex-President's Life, Rumors Linger in Turkmenistan
In November 2002, the then Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov survived an assassination attempt that was blamed on Russian-supported opposition. Ten years after the incident, in the country starved of reliable information, many people still don't trust the official version of the event.
Why Have Honduras Expats Stopped Blogging?
Laurie Matherne from Honduras Gumbo shares three theories about why expatriates in Honduras have stopped blogging: it's too dangerous, the economic crisis has forced many to leave, and those who stay “are forced to live in near chaos.”
Developing Latin America Hackathon Draws Near!
We are only 2 days short of commencing the regional hackathon Developing Latin America 2012. Anca Matioc, who is in charge of organising the event, spoke with us about the preparations. She also answered some questions relating to the development of a hackathon like Developing Latin America.
Tunisian Police Use Shotgun Shells Against Protesters
Over the last two days, Tunisian security forces fired shotgun shells at protesters in Siliana (north-west of the country), injuring 265 persons. Clashes erupted in this impoverished interior province, when police clashed with protesters calling for the departure of the local governor.
Young Volunteers Training to Free Northern Mali
Young volunteers engage to liberate Northern Mali. Meanwhile, Jemal Oumar and Bakari Gueye report that extremists in Northern Mali target women with curfews and arrests.
2013 Dakar Rally Will Visit Peru, Argentina, and Chile
For five consecutive years, the Dakar organization has chosen South American territory for its annual off-road competition. The 2003 route will cross three countries: Peru, Argentina, and Chile.
Singapore: Bus Drivers Participate in “Illegal Strike”
About 171 Chinese bus drivers from SMRT – a major public transport provider in Singapore – went on strike to protest the salary discrepancy between Chinese and Malaysian bus drivers working for the company. A government official condemned the action as an 'illegal strike'
