Stories about Citizen Media from March, 2010
Azerbaijan: Reflections on Novruz
This weekend marked the official start of Novruz, the Zoroastrian holiday marking the beginning of spring. Bloggers comment on the festival.
China: Confession of a ‘Second Generation Migrant Worker’
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
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.
Bloggers’ opinions about technology and football
Despite the dramatic advances in technology, The International Football Association Board has rejected the introduction of goal-line technology during 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Peru: The Pardon of José Enrique Crousillat
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.
Colombia: Results from March 14 Elections
On Sunday March 14, Colombians went to the polls to elect legislative representatives. It was also viewed as a barometer of what could happen in the May 30 presidential elections.
Ecuador: The Yasuni-ITT Initiative
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
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.
Russia: Blog Report from Penal Colony
Photojournalist Maks Avdeev (LJ user Avdeev) published photos from a penal colony in Arkhangelsk region. More pictures can be found on his Flickr account.
Timor Police Ninja Operation
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
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.
Georgia: Mock news report causes panic
A mock news program broadcast on television reporting that Russia had once again invaded and that the president was dead caused panic in Georgia this weekend. Bloggers react.
Kenya: Nairobi becomes East Africa's tech heartbeat
Kenya, and specifically Nairobi, has in recent months become the technology heartbeat of Africa with conferences, launches, meet ups, summits and unconferences all running in quick succession.
South Africa: The Democratic Alliance and Politics 2.0
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.
Nepal: Tibet Uprising Anniversary Exposes Growing Rift
Nepal's forceful approach towards the Tibet Uprising Anniversary on March 10 and public programs that are organized by Tibetan refugees in the country is attracting criticism from Tibetan & Nepali blogs.
Middle East: Mourning the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Mosque
Mohamed Sayed Tantawi, the Grand Sheikh of the Al-Azhar mosque in Cairo, Egypt, has died at age 81. Reactions to his death have varied from mourning to critical recollections of his many controversial fatwas.
Ecuador: Guayaquil Demands Greater Budget Allocation
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.
Azerbaijan: Confusion over Internet problems with Azadliq site
In the past few days in Azerbaijan, some users have complained that many sites, including Yahoo Mail, Gmail and Facebook, were inaccessible. When one news site was affected, however, some Internet users feared the worst.
China: The First Chinese Novel on Twitter?
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.
Taiwan: Construction of ethnic identity
Taiwan in Cycles comments on how a man's choice to identify himself by saying, “I am not an Aborigine!” reveals about the construction of ethnic identities in Taiwan.
Nigeria: Jos erupts in violence again
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.