· October, 2008

Stories about Citizen Media from October, 2008

India: Transport strike

  17 October 2008

Channel 19 blog provides some insight into the recent partial transport strike in Mumbai: “This event not only highlights the issues of autorickshaw drivers and taxi drivers in India’s most populated city, but it also sheds some light upon the disparities of socio-economic class, gender and infrastructure.”

Americas: Bloggers Participate in Blog Action Day – Part II

  17 October 2008

October 15 marked the annual event of Blog Action Day. On this date, bloggers from all around the world pledge to publish a blog post aboug a particular topic. This year the chosen subject is poverty. This campaign hopes “to change the conversation that day day, to raise awareness, start a global discussion and add momentum to an important cause.” Latin American bloggers actively participated in the campaign read some of their thoughts in part II.

Iran: Bloggers Talk Poverty on Blog Action Day

  16 October 2008

Iranian bloggers, like many other bloggers , from the four corners of the planet participated in Blog Action Day on 15th of October to talk about poverty. Dreeam writes [fa] about families with low income who can only look at rich ones. The blogger writes: I have pity for people...

Cameroon In The Eyes of British And American Volunteers

  16 October 2008

There are very few Cameroonian bloggers based in Cameroon. This vacuum has been occupied by volunteers working in the country (mainly) for the British organization Volunteer Service Overseas (VSO) and the US Peace Corps Volunteers (PCV). Their attempts to cope with everyday life in an African country is the main stay of their posts.

Americas: Bloggers Participate in Blog Action Day – Part I

  16 October 2008

October 15 marked the annual event of Blog Action Day. On this date, bloggers from all around the world pledge to publish a blog post aboug a particular topic. This year the chosen subject is poverty. This campaign hopes “to change the conversation that day day, to raise awareness, start a global discussion and add momentum to an important cause.” Latin American bloggers actively participated in the campaign read some of their thoughts in part I.

Taiwan: An online protest against the American Institute in Taiwan

  16 October 2008

After being denied a U.S. tourist visa in September, Taiwanese artist Chen Chieh-jen started a website against the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) called, "I suspect that you intend to stow away to the U.S.". Here people share their stories of being mistreated by officials and denied entry to the United States.

China: Student killed by police, but wins not much sympathy

  16 October 2008

Yang jia, all by himself, killed 6 police at Shanghai in July. Then on Oct 11, a few days ago, 6 police killed 1 college student in a northern city of China. Is a vicious circle of violence starting? But after the video clip of the scene was exposed, the victim lost most of his support.

Brazilian myths and haunts on the Lusosphere – Part 1

  15 October 2008

The first of three articles that will take us around the virtual campfire to hear stories about ghosts and enchantment from Brazilian folklore: Cuca, Negrinho do Pastoreio, Boitatá and Curupira, are just some of the beings that inhabit the nights, dreams, and nightmares of Brazil. We also find a group of artists who are telling anew a long told Brazilian popular story.

Guyana: EPA – To Sign or Not To Sign?

  14 October 2008

The European Union is ushering in the first phases of a new trade pact between regional territories and the 27 members of the EU. What's the big deal about a little trade agreement? Just the fact that the new rules change the fundamentals of how these two trade blocs relate. Some regional governments - like Guyana - are insisting that they will not sign the EPA as it stands. The problem is, there's a deadline involved. A few Guyanese bloggers have been speaking out...

Azerbaijan: Peace Corps Volunteer Blogs

  12 October 2008

The U.S. Peace Corps started working in Azerbaijan in 2002. Since then, over 190 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in Azerbaijan and a number set up blogs from the beginning of 2006. Operating outside the capital, Baku, the blogs detail life in the regions of an oil-rich country that few would otherwise experience.

Armenia: Peace Corps Volunteer Blogs

  11 October 2008

While the number of blogs on or based in the South Caucasus is often put in the tens of thousands, the actual number of bloggers is significantly lower. Moreover, the vast majority based on the ground are usually situated in the capital cities of the three republics making up the...

Moroccans for Obama?

  10 October 2008

"When the Americans are getting ready to elect a president, the whole world holds its breath," writes Moroccon blogger, Robin des Blogs [Fr]. It's a sentiment held by many around the world, but some Moroccon netizens aren't sure which outcome--an Obama or a McCain presidency--would be best for Morocco.

Brazil: A day in jail for blog comments

  10 October 2008

The first person to go to jail for commenting on a blog in Brazil was a high rank police officer. See reactions from the very close knit police blogosphere. Not surprisingly, with the intelligence monitoring blogs and comment boxes, most of the police officers decide to blog anonymously.

Pakistan: Still ignoring the stranded Pakistanis in Bangladesh

  10 October 2008

“The politicians in Pakistan religiously issue statements each year bemoaning the plight of the stranded Pakistanis,” Raza Rumi writes about the stranded Pakistanis (Biharis) in Bangladesh and the appalling life they lead as they keep their hopes alive to return to Pakistan.

The Blogging Revolution: from Iran to Cuba

  7 October 2008

Antony Loewenstein, a Sydney-based freelance journalist and blogger, has recently published his new book: The Blogging Revolution. This book talks about the impact of blogging on six countries: Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, China and Cuba.