Stories about Citizen Media from August, 2016
Journalist Jean Bigirimana Is Still Missing as Burundi's Political Crisis Continues
The government's denial of Jean's detention has left his friends and colleagues fearful that authorities may be concealing information on his whereabouts or death.
The ‘Russian Quora’ Branches Out
The question-and-answer Russian website “TheQuestion” reportedly completed a second investment round this summer, securing $500,000, and is opening new offices in Berlin and London.
There's Finally a Programming Language in Bengali Script, Thanks to ‘Potaka’
"We have been looking forward to a coding language in Bengali for a long time. Why should our higher learning and computer learning be in a foreign language?"
Death Penalty Still Looms for Mauritanian Blogger Who Spoke Out Against Caste-Based Discrimination
"This sentence signifies a step backwards in terms of tolerance and shows just how much issues of cast, religion, slavery and therefore democracy are taboos in Mauritania."
Can Colombia's Best Ever Olympics Help to Heal Social Fractures?
"One more triumph was given to us by these worthy Colombians, representatives of the very mistreated afrodescendants in this racist and segregated Colombia."
The Summer Season Brings an Orchestra of Cicadas to Japan
There are more than 30 different species of cicada in Japan. Each one has its own distinctive call. How many can you recognize?
On the Blossoming Pop Careers of Uganda's Security Hardmen
Both the new police grooves and the old army tunes are decidedly patriotic in tone.
Meet the Newly Born Tulu Wikipedia, the 23rd in a South Asian Language!
Tulu is spoken by 3-5 million people in the Indian states of Karnataka and Kerala, plus a sizeable diaspora living in the US and the Gulf countries.
The Refugee Olympic Team Showed They Have Plenty to Offer, in Spite of Tragic Stories
"It is this determination that they show against all odds. I love the athletes in this team as if they were my own children."
August Was Another Month of Tragedy for Turkey's Besieged LGBTQ+ Community
"She would also be very restless sometimes. She had been stabbed and beaten before. This doesn’t happen only to Hande, it happens to all of them."
Super Mario and Prime Minister Abe Took Centre Stage in Japan's 2020 Promo at Rio
Japan invites the world to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo by emphasizing "otaku culture."
In Nigeria, You Risk Arrest If Your Dog Has the Same Name as the President
"Anyone that is still in doubt about the political nature of this case should search his inner conscience closely."
Brazil’s Highest Mountain Is Reopening for Ecotourism Guided by the Yanomami People
Closed off to tourists since 2003, the trail to Brazil's highest mountain is set to reopen in 2018, managed by the indigenous peoples themselves.
Africans Have a Laugh at Themselves Imagining ‘If Africa Was a School’
"Madagascar would be the kid no one invites to a party coz they live out of town."
Netizen Report: Bangladesh and Ethiopia Flip the Switch on Internet as Political Tensions Rise
Web blocking continues to plague Bangladesh and Ethiopia, Peru drops US $22 million on spyware, and sharing just might become a crime in Colombia.
What Monica Puig's Olympic Gold Medal Means for Puerto Ricans
"I think I united a nation."
WikiLeaks: From Collateral Murder to Collateral Recklessness
From rape victims to democratic party donors, WikiLeaks' latest data dumps demonstrate a disturbing trend of publishing the personal information of private individuals.
Want to Celebrate Blog Day? Get Yourself to Paraguay!
On August 31, the world celebrates Blog Day. A group in Paraguay is making something special of the holiday.
Activists and Government Divided Inside and Outside of Honduras About the “Berta Cáceres” Law
Lawmakers want to "suspend US aid to Honduran police and military until human rights violations by security forces cease and those responsible for of such crimes are brought to justice.”
Independent TV Station and Two Community Radio Stations Suspended Amid Disputed Elections in Zambia
"Zambia is slowly becoming a court room. We all must be careful when we speak out on issues of national interest."
An Ethiopian Runner Makes a Brave Gesture of Anti-Government Protest at the Olympic Finish Line
"#FeyisaLilesa used the biggest stage of his life to express a muzzled generational cry for freedom. He spoke without words. #courage"
