Stories about Citizen Media from July, 2010
Armenia-Azerbaijan: Bloggers build dialogue
Although a recent conference held earlier this month highlighted some of the shortcomings and dangers of using new and social media in conflict resolution, there is no doubt that online tools have moved in to fill a gap left vacant by a usually politically polarized and propagandist media in the South Caucasus.
Zambia: Meet Zambian Citizen Broadcasters
The media in Zambia is being turned on its head as bloggers and citizen broadcasters enter the media space. Independent news websites and blogs by Zambians are springing up all the time. In this post by our new Zambian author, Gershom Ndhlovu, you will meet three Zambian citizen broadcasters who run regular shows online using BlogTalkRadio (BTR) technology.
Russia: Roadtrip to Caucasus
Popular bloggers tema [RUS], nl [RUS] and others [RUS] (9 bloggers in 3 cars) post pictures and short notes from the roadtrip to Caucasus, that started on July 15th, 2010. So far, they travelled through the North Caucasus republics and are planning to go to Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia.
Global Lives: Revisiting the project recording people's lives
Two years ago we wrote about a project in its initial stages: Global Lives set out to record a day in the life of 10 people from all over the world. Today we revisit the project and check up on how they're coming along.
Guinea: Awaiting the Second Round of the Elections Amidst Fraud Allegations
A historical presidential election is underway in Guinea as the official results of the first round [fr] are about to be made official. Despite the allegations of fraud, the overall sentiment is that of relief for the absence of turmoil and a remarkable turnout. The Guinean blogosphere was also actively involved:
India: From Stone Pelting In Kashmir Streets To Facebook Protests
Indian administered Kashmir valleys are boiling over tensions and rage against Indian security forces over killing of a number of young protesters. An SMS ban ensued to stop rumors and Kashmiri youths are increasingly relying on social media tools to share news and carry on with their protests amidst crack down on them.
Russia-Belarus: Not the end of the godfather story
Siarhei Bohdan of Belarus Digest discusses the ongoing propaganda war between Belarus and Russia, as previously reported, following a gas conflict earlier this year.
Brazil: Electoral Blogsphere Censored
Censorship in the Brazilian blogsphere is an extremely sensitive issue due to a dictatorship past when it was legal. As the presidential elections of 2010 approach, the siege tightens and bloggers react.
Japan: Artistic manhole covers
Jamaipanese reviews [en] Drainspotting, a book dedicated to the artistic manhole covers located all over Japan.
South Africa: 67 Minutes of Change – Mandela Day
Nelson Mandela spent 27 years of his life in a prison on Robben Island in South Africa. What most people don’t know is that Madiba (as he is affectionately known in South Africa) spent 67 years in the fight against racism and poverty. Sunday 18 July 2010 marks his 92nd birthday and also Mandela Day - a day in which people around the world dedicate 67 minutes of their time to making the world a better place for all.
Southeast Asia: Sex and web censorship
Regulating internet content today is viewed as an anti-democratic practice but Southeast Asian governments seem able to justify it by invoking the need to save the young from the scourge of indecent sexual behavior.
North Korea: Beauty Plays In the Psychological Warfare
A North Korean waitress who looks much alike South Korean actress has become a new celebrity in South Korea. A YouTube video of a North Korean college girl praising its regime’s generosity on her rich family has drawn several ten thousand views. North Korean defectors in South Korea are warning...
North Korea: Amnesty International Reveals Crumbling Health Care
A bleak picture of North Korea's disastrous health care system has revealed in Amnesty International's new a report “The Crumbling State of Health Care in North Korea” [Ko] disclosing a ‘dire’ situation where amputations are carried without anesthesia and hospitals suffer from a shortage of sterilized needles. English document available...
Croatia: Police Breaks Up Peaceful Protest in Zagreb
Croatian police broke up a peaceful protest against usurpation of public space in the center of Zagreb and arrested at least 11 civic activists. Once again, Twitter is the main source of immediate info and photos (#Varsavska).
Macedonia: The Curse of ‘Bipartisanship’
Veteran Macedonian bloggers express the widely held opinion among their compatriots who are not sympathizers of political parties about feeling hostage to a system without independent alternatives.
Brazil: Afro-Brazilian Claims to Affirmative Action Denied
After nearly a decade discussing the Racial Equality Statute, last month the Brazilian senate finally approved it. Out of the document are the most controversial demands from Afro-Brazilian movements: a quota system of affirmative action in both education and the job market.
Rwanda: Paul Kagame Supporters Turn to Power of Twitter, Facebook and Blogs
Supporters of President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, have turned to the power of Facebook, Twitter and blogs to help him win presidential election that will be held in Rwanda on 9 August 2010.
Montenegro: Hero's Welcome for YouTube Star
Montenegrin diaspora star Ekrem Jevrić Gospoda was given a hero's welcome upon his arrival in his native land few days ago. In addition to fame gained via his YouTube hit song, he also took part in a fashion photo-shoot few days ago.
Mozambique: Fallout from US blacklisting
Last month, the US Treasury listed Mozambican businessman Mohamed Bachir for alleged links to drug trade, freezing some of his assets. Roughly 700 other people are listed worldwide. Bachir owns Maputo Shopping Center and is politically well connected. Blog Ma-shamba analyzes the impacts [Pt]. Rapper Azagaia recorded “Arrrrri!” in response, and has...
Russia: Photo of Four Rainbows
Taiga.info posts a picture [RUS] of unusual natural phenomena that occurred in Tomsk (Siberia) – four rainbows were caught by photographer at one time.
China: Proposal to use more Mandarin in TV provokes Guangzhou citizens
A recent proposal to use Mandarin instead of Cantonese in the TV news programs of Guangzhou, the capital city of China’s Guangdong province, has been strongly opposed by local residents. The proposal, brought up at the city committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference on July 5, advised Guangzhou...
