Stories about Citizen Media from August, 2009
Malawi: The good, the bad and the hopeful in health care
In this post we highlight some of what Malawian bloggers are writing about the country's health care system. We look at bloggers describing developments in eye care, reflecting on midwifery, expressing shock over negligence in hospitals and government waste, and we end with rare good news about the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Bangladesh: Uncultured Project and Clean Water
The Uncultured Project helps out in Bangladesh with clean water and disaster relief, and has an advantageous position to compare two different portable water filtering methods.
Brazil: Bolivia expels Brazilian citizens
Evo Morales' government claims that recent expulsions of Brazilians from its territory is focused on matters of sovereignty, but some Brazilian bloggers suggest it is to settle government supporters in their place.
Argentina: Proposal to Increase Taxes on Some Technology Products
The Argentine Congress gave their preliminary approval to raise taxes on some imported technological products. Many bloggers feel that this will make it harder for all segments of society to access these tools.
Armenia-Azerbaijan: An interview with Elizabeth Métraux
DOTCOM is an online initiative using blogs and video to bring American, Armenian and Azerbaijani teenagers together to work on creating socially conscious media. Global Voices Online speaks to Program Director Elizabeth Métraux.
Argentina: Clarín Media Group Seeks to Close Blog
The Clarín Group, Argentina's largest multimedia company has started legal proceedings against the blog "What's the Matter, Clarín?" claiming infringement of a registered trademark. Bloggers feel that there are other reasons behind the legal actions.
IndieGoGo: fundraising for independent film-makers
IndieGoGo is a fundraising and promotion platform for independent movie makers where they can network, showcase their work and raise funds for their projects.
Southeast Asia: Internet and Nationalism
The Internet is increasingly being used by many Southeast Asians for various nationalist campaigns. This trend is positive in so far as it expands and improves the political participation of ordinary citizens. However, there are also ultra-nationalist online initiatives which prevent the formation of regional solidarity in Southeast Asia.
Caucasus: An interview with Bart Woord
International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) Secretary General Bart Woord took time out to speak to Global Voices Online about the role new media can play in the region and the case of Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli, two video bloggers recently detained in Baku on what many consider to be politically motivated charges.
Philippines: People mourn death of Corazon Aquino
The Philippines is in a state of national mourning after Corazon Aquino, who became a global democracy icon after leading the fight to topple the Marcos dictatorship, died last weekend from cardiorespiratory arrest. Aquino was the first woman president of the Philippines and the first female head of state in Asia.
Angola: National flag carrier removed from EU blacklist
After two years, the first TAAG flight from Luanda to Lisbon is scheduled for today, 1 August 2009 with a Boeing 777-200ER. The blogosphere discusses the EU lifting national flag carrier's ban.
Caucasus: An interview with Micael Bogar
With three frozen conflicts and many ethnic fault lines, peace and stability in the South Caucasus often seems unreachable. After living and working in the the region for many years, Micael Bogar is now Projects Manager at the American University's Center for Social Media and speaks to Global Voices Online on the potential for new media tools to circumvent divisions and bring estranged neighbors together.
