Stories about Citizen Media from January, 2009
Brazil: A true competition between e-books and paper books?
The Brazilian blogsphere is full of literature available online at collective blogs and websites, individual authors' blogs and governmental initiatives. The nations' best selling author, Paulo Coelho, is right when he says that the free distribution of e-books actually encourages the sales of paper books - at least in times when the reader still prefers reading on paper.
Angola: Controversy and Contradictions Over New Airports
The construction of new international airports for Luanda, one of them costing seventy-four million US dollars, is a controversial subject that has set bloggers talking in Angola. Does the city really need more than one good international airport?
Bolivia: Dealing With Dengue Fever
Heavy rains in the Bolivian Orient help create the breeding ground for mosquitos that spread the virus that causes dengue fever. There is also a much more severe form which causes dengue hemorrhagic fever and has already caused 3 deaths in the country. One blogger writes about firsthand experience with this illness.
The Egyptian Bloggers Bookfair
With more than 15 new titles, Egyptian bloggers take the 2009 Cairo International Book Fair by storm. Marwa Rakha reports how bloggers are planning to organise group visits to make the most out of the annual show.
Guyana: Dirty Laundry?
The new President of the United States is the Caribbean's darling, but the President of Guyana is having a tougher time of it. The latest controversy to plague him comes in the form of his ex-wife spilling the beans about their stormy personal relationship and Mr. Jagdeo's alleged failure to provide her with a divorce settlement. Bloggers, of course, are all over the story...
Madagascar: Major Damages from Tropical Storm Eric & Cyclone Fanele
In the past days, Madagascar has been sandwiched between both Tropical Storm Eric and Cyclone Fanele. Considering that last year's cyclone season was particularly deadly, bloggers in Madagascar are weary of the consequences of such natural disasters. Despite growing political tension, many of them reacted promptly to share their thoughts on what seems to be another series of damaging catastrophes.
Support Global Voices: Win a ROFLCon Ticket
If you're a fan of everything on the internet that makes you “roll on the floor laughing” (ROFL) you're probably familiar with several of the invitees to ROFLCon's party in New York on January 24, 2009, like The Tron Guy, Obama Girl, and the owner of Sockington (the Twittering cat). Tickets to “ROFLThing” are sold out, but by bidding on one of the last five tickets right now, you can help support Global Voices.
French Caribbean, Palestine, Israel: Economic Boycott?
French West Indians and Caribbeans have expressed their solidarity with the population in Gaza in many ways since the bombings began. Is an economic boycott one of them? Bloggers discuss the possibilities.
Caribbean: Obama's Day
Like the rest of the world, the eyes of the Caribbean were on Washington, DC yesterday, as Barack Hussein Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. Regional and diaspora bloggers - for the most part - could not contain their enthusiasm over this history-making moment.
Azerbaijan: Black January
As much of the world celebrated the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States, Azerbaijan mourned the 19th anniversary of an event which ultimately led to its independence from the former Soviet Union. At least 130 people were killed and 700 wounded in what is now known as "Black January," a day which marks a defining moment in the rebirth of the former Soviet republic.
Peru: Lima Celebrates Its Anniversary
On Sunday, January 18, the City of Kings, better known as Lima, Peru celebrated the 474th anniversary of its founding. Many bloggers took this opportunity to dedicate a few inspirational words to the city or post some photos, but also reflect on the challenges faced by this large metropolis.
China: Does the government still concern about the “kidney stone babies”?
The coverage of the tainted milk scandal in China has been gradually faded away from the mass media with the bankruptcy of Sanlu company. In December 2008, the Chinese government comes up with an initial compensation plan, however, to some victims’ disappointment. And according to Hong Kong's newspapers’ report (Mingpao),...
Russia: Lawyer Markelov and Journalist Baburova Shot Dead in Moscow
Russian human rights lawyer Stanislav Markelov, 34, was shot to death Jan. 19 as he walked from a news conference in central Moscow. Journalist Anastasia Baburova, 25, who accompanied Markelov, was also shot as she tried to intervene; she died in hospital a few hours later. Many Russian bloggers reacted with shock and outrage to these broad-daylight shootings. Below are some of the initial responses, translated from Russian, as well as links to a few posts in English.
Guyana: Flooding Controversy
Guyana has been experiencing severe bouts of flooding recently, causing damage to crops and livestock and outrage among bloggers.
Ecuador: Correa Faces Pressure From Indigenous Groups
In Ecuador, President Rafael Correa is facing pressure from indigenous groups over his government's support of a new mining law. The coalition led by the National Confederation of Indigenous Nations (CONAIE) say that there was very little discussion and that it would violate the communities' sovereignty, as well as cause environmental contamination. Correa must decide how to face these mobilizations from groups that historically have been strong backers of his government.
Taiwan: Prepare for the Lunar New Year
The Lunar New Year is right at the corner. The Lunar New Year is an important holiday for family members and friends to get together in Taiwan. To prepare the food and the mood, people like to go shopping before the Lunar New Year. chensumi showed us what she saw...
Israel: IDF Operating a Moral War in Gaza?
Bloggers have been defending the IDF which has been highly criticized for operating an unjust war in Gaza. Many choose to highlight facts which are not necessarily presented in mainstream news on its fighting techniques - minimizing civilian casualties by using precise missile technology, calling homes and dropping warning leaflets, while focusing on the target: weakening Hamas, destroying their artillery and ability to fire missiles into Israeli territory.
Angola: An increase in domestic violence or only in awareness?
The rates of domestic violence in Angola have increased considerably but it is a good sign: by reporting more, Angolan women get a step closer to ending the abuse perpetrated by their partners. But, have the numbers actually increased or is there just a greater awareness of such crimes?
Indonesia: Bloggers Vs mainstream media on Israel-Palestine issue
Global Voices author Martin Manurung analyzes the media coverage of the Palestine-Israel conflict in Indonesia. He notes that Indonesian bloggers seem to be more mature and informed than most of the Indonesian mainstream media.
Philippines: Helping flood victims through Plurk and blogs
Filipino bloggers have organized a feeding program for the benefit of flood victims in south Philippines. They announced their project through Plurk and other social networking sites.
