Stories about Citizen Media from July, 2009
Peru: Bloggers Targeted by Hackers
Disagreements between bloggers and their readers may often take place within the comments section, and can continue in the form of debate and discussion. However, for some Peruvian bloggers, some of their views motivated some to take actions to silence these differing opinions.
Balkans-EU: Schengen's leftouts and letins
Eberhard Rhein of BlogactivEU writes about the EU's plans for visa deregulation to Serbia, Montenegro, and Macedonia. Gray Falcon presents some critical views from the perspective of Serbia and Bosnia-Hercegovina,...
Africa: Blogging the trial of Charles Taylor
Former Liberian President Charles Taylor is facing 11 charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity at the Special Court for Sierra Leone, which is being held at the Hague, Netherlands. There are two blog specifically covering Charles Taylor trial: The Trial of Charles Taylor - International Criminal Justice in the Making, which is made up of a team of monitors from the global litigation practice of Clifford Chance LLP and the Trial of Charles Taylor, a project of Open Society Justice Initiative.
Light Up Nigeria: Enough Is Enough
Despite being a country rich in oil, Nigeria's electricity supply situation is insufficient. “In most parts of the country, darkness pervades and generators have taken over as the source of power”, says Adebayo's blog. Now Nigerians have started a massive online demonstration against this frustrating situation on social media sites, especially on Twitter with the hashtag #lightupnigeria.
Fiji finds foreign friends?
Leaders of Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands will lobby the 15-member Pacific Islands Forum to consider lifting Fiji’s suspension to re-start dialogue with the country to provide its military backed government time to complete reforms.
Why did Thailand’s former PM travel to Fiji?
Bloggers are debating the significance of the recent trip of Thailand’s ousted Prime Minister to Fiji and Tonga. Fiji and Thailand have no extradition treaties, fueling speculation that the former Thai leader traveled to the Pacific looking for asylum.
Indonesia: Bomb Explosions at Kuningan, Jakarta
Two explosions hit the Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott hotels in Mega Kuningan, Jakarta around 7:40 AM local time. Local social media users broke the story to the world, especially those among today's morning commuters.
Russia: Politkovskaya laureate murdered
Just another death, just another obituary. That seems to be the general sentiment as news of today's murder of Russian Human Rights activist, Natalya Estemirova, broke. However, there are still people out there, in the Russian blogosphere, who challenge disillusion as yet another voice of conscience and tolerance is silenced by violent death.
Congo Brazzaville: Disappointment at Presidential election
On Sunday July 12th, people in the Republic of the Congo voted in an election which opposition leaders boycotted over allegations it would be neither free nor fair. Denis Sassou...
Cameroon: Bloggers Discuss Obama's Ghana Speech
U.S. President Barack Obama gave a speech in Ghana which could be considered as his Africa policy speech. Cameroonians at home and in the diaspora have been reacting to the words pronounced by the American leader with African roots via the blogosphere.
Africa: BarCamp Africa moves to Maneno blogging platform
BarCamp Africa has moved to Maneno blogging platform: “We at Maneno are very excited to announce that BarcampAfrica.com has now been moved over to the Maneno platform. With this partnership,...
Georgia: An Interview with DvOrsky
Giga Paitchadze, better known online as DvOrsky, is no stranger to the Caucasus section of Global Voices Online. In the second of a series of audio interviews with bloggers in or dealing with the South Caucasus, Paitchadze updates Global Voices Online on the development of new media in Georgia.
Brazil: Digital mob demands the Senate President's resignation
Thousand of protests have taken place 'virtually' on social media networks, such as Twitter, demanding the resignation of the Senate President, José Sarney. But, when the mobilization goes offline, only some dozen protesters have so far taken to Brazil's streets. Bloggers analyze the current Brazilian political scenery, the background of this situation and speculate on a hidden agenda.
Azerbaijan: Youth activist, prominent blogger imprisoned after trial behind closed doors
In what might be the first case of a blogger being assaulted and detained in the South Caucasus, two youth activists were yesterday imprisoned for two months pre-trial investigative detention in what many consider to be a travesty of justice.
Azerbaijan: An Interview with Scary Azeri
Unashamedly acerbic, but alway humorous, Scary Azeri in Suburbs has fast become popular with many interested in the South Caucasus and posts have even been republished by the media in her native Azerbaijan. Today, Global Voices Online interviewed Scary Azeri about blogging, tweeting, cultural clashes, trolls and more.
Indonesia: Twittering the Presidential Election
Indonesia is preparing for its presidential election today. GV author Marisa Duma tackles the role of Twitter in engaging the Indonesian online community in political and election campaigns.
Fiji: New constitution or delaying tactic?
Fiji’s Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama outlined the plan to create a new constitution that will take the country to its next scheduled elections in September 2014.
South Africa: Storm Brewing Between Government, Striking Doctors & Unions
In the last few months there has been a storm brewing between different parties here in South Africa related to the public health care system. Doctors, unions and government are...
