· March, 2010

Stories about Citizen Media from March, 2010

China: Confession of a ‘Second Generation Migrant Worker’

  18 March 2010

China’s hukou system, adopted in 1958 to control population movement, has long been criticized for tying the population to their place of origin. With the mass migration of rural workers to China’s cities and coastal regions, the system is under the spotlight. One blogger airs his grievances.

Nigeria: “Enough is Enough!” youth march on the capital

  18 March 2010

On Tuesday, March 16, thousands of Nigerians marched on the capital, Abuja, to show their frustration with the woes that continue to besiege the country. This sort of protest has not been a common feature of the Nigerian political scene, at least not in this decade, though the demonstration is one of several that have taken place this year.

Peru: The Pardon of José Enrique Crousillat

  18 March 2010

Former Peruvian television businessman José Enrique Crousillat had been serving a jail sentence for accepting bribes, when he was granted a pardon by President Alan García for humanitarian reasons, and which backfired resulting in an embarrassing situation.

Ecuador: The Yasuni-ITT Initiative

  17 March 2010

In 2007, the Ecuadorian government unveiled the Yasuni-ITT Initiative, which would call for the oil reserves found in the Yasuni National Park to remain underground in exchange for compensation from the international community.

South Africa: Julius Malema and the future of freedom of speech

  16 March 2010

The ANC Youth League President Julius Malema has been found guilty of hate speech because of comments he made about a woman who accused President Jacob Zuma for rape. South African bloggers and legal experts have reacted quickly to the judgement. Opinions about the judgement and the future of freedom of speech in South Africa are deeply divided.

Timor Police Ninja Operation

  15 March 2010

There has been much ado about "ninjas" in Timor-Leste recently. The police ordered a crackdown against these criminal "ninja" groups but some suggest that the matter is being overblown and is a political game.

Costa Rica: New Traffic Law Takes Effect

  15 March 2010

The new Traffic Law in Costa Rica recently went into effect, which raised the amount of fines and allowed for a higher blood-alcohol level for drunk drivers, of which Costa Rican bloggers express their opinions.

South Africa: The Democratic Alliance and Politics 2.0

  11 March 2010

Several political parties and politicians in Africa understand the importance of using social media tools to engage with citizens and party members. Today, lets look at the Democratic Alliance, South Africa's Official Opposition and its leader, Western Cape Premier Helen Zille.

Ecuador: Guayaquil Demands Greater Budget Allocation

  10 March 2010

The municipal government of Guayaquil, Ecuador, recently held a "March for Dignity" demanding greater budget allocation from the central government. However, it was also an opportunity for its Mayor, Jaime Nebot, to take on a more visible political opposition to the President.

China: The First Chinese Novel on Twitter?

  10 March 2010

Lian Yue, an ex-teacher and ex-procurator and now a famous blogger and political commentator in China, announced on his blog that he is starting a novel, entitled 2020, on twitter this month. According to the blog, the novel will last until 2020.

Nigeria: Jos erupts in violence again

  9 March 2010

In Jos, conflict seems to recur in ever-narrowing cycles: deadly riots rocked the city in 1994, 2001, 2008, and, not even two months ago, in January 2010. The current conflict is said to have begun in reprisal for the destruction that occurred in January, and, like the previous riots, has been fought along sectarian lines.