Stories about Citizen Media from September, 2010
Chile: Bloggers and Social Network Users Question Bicentennial Celebrations
On September 18 Chile commemorates 200 years of its Independence from Spain with a Bicentennial celebration. But the date has generated reactions from bloggers and Twitter users who are relating the celebrations to a prolonged hunger strike by the Mapuche indigenous group and other current issues of concern for the Chilean people.
Togo: The Most Hilarious Sports Joke of the Year
Togo's football federation says the “national team” that played an exhibition match against Bahrain on September 7, 2010 was fake. Togo's sports minister says that the team was made up of “unidentified players and their shadowy handlers” who belonged to a “mafia group.” FIFA is investigating the allegations. One blogger has described the story as one of the weirdest stories of the year and another one says it is “one of the most hilarious sports practical jokes of all time.”
Nicaragua: Sexual Diversity in the National Blogosphere
In the middle of the debate over legalizing same-sex marriage in Nicaragua, a blogosphere showcases the view of sexual diversity and provides information on issues affecting the LGBTI community in the country.
Mexico: Celebrating the Bicentennial in the Middle of Chaos
This year Mexico will commemorate the bicentennial of its Independence from the Spanish Crown and the centennial of its Revolution with an extensive program of events. Although this year is meant to be special, some Mexicans consider that amid the problems the country is facing the money the government is spending on the celebrations could be used on other important issues. Mexicans have shared their thoughts on the bicentennial celebrations through the web.
Zambia: I Blog to Remind Zambians Who They Are
Mwata Chisha is a Zambian blogger based in the United States of America. His blog is called Cultural Intelligence: Philosophies and Personal Opinions of Mwata Chisha. Mwata uses his blog, among other things, to analyse statements and actions of political leaders on a “rational—irrational” scale.
I Paid A Bribe: An Endeavor in India
“Bribed? Didn't bribe? Powerless? Victimised? Angry?" I Paid a Bribe is encouraging citizens in India to tell their stories of bribery and corruption and is using these stories to identify the most corrupt departments and processes in the country.
Blog Carnival: Ecuador: Internet, Society and Participation
Global Voices in Spanish is pleased to announce a new Blog Carnival, which this time targets bloggers from Ecuador, with the topic: "Internet, Society and Participation." Find out about how, when and where you can participate or get involved.
Yoani Sanchez denied another traveling visa
Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez tweets about another visa refusal for traveling, this time to receive the World Press Freedom Hero Award in Vienna, Austria. And it seems unlikely she could attend the Internet for Peace conference (New York City, Sept. 21), a global initiative aimed at supporting the Internet as...
Global: If there is no water, there is no life
The Twentieth gathering for the World Water Week (WWW) took place in Sweden's Capital Stockholm from the 5th to the 11th of September 2010 with the theme The Water Quality Challenge-Prevention, Wise Use and Abatement. According to the organisers, “urbanisation, agriculture, industry and climate change exert mounting pressure on both the quantity and quality of our water resources.”
Armenia-Azerbaijan: Backseat musical musings… and ethnic conflict
With the broadcast media heavily controlled in both Armenia and Azerbaijan there are few avenues left for independent journalists. Bloggers in both countries, however, react to a video posted online.
Guinea: Violent Confrontations in Conakry Prior To The Second Round
The Guinee libre [fr] website reports that violent confrontations occurred over the week-end in Conakry as the second round of the presidential elections approaches (scheduled for September 19th but probably temporarily suspended). The violence opposed militants of the Rassemblement pour le peuple de Guinée (RPG) and the militants of the Union des forces démocratiques de...
Japan: Drinkommunication, when drinking alcohol is a social obligation
Alcohol in Japan it is often used as a social lubricant in a society that still sees a gap between one's real feelings and intention and what one says on social occasions. And according to many, it is with a glass of beer or sake in hand that a new type of franker communication may occur, or a 'drinkommunication'.
Africa: HIV Positive Women Sterilized, Discriminated Against and Stigmatized
Forced sterilization of HIV positive women is alas still a reality in many African countries. Recent testimonies were shared by many through personal experiences and a few African bloggers weighed in on the issue.
Australia: Julia Gillard Forms Minority Government
The election waiting game is over in Australia. Julia Gillard has formed a minority Labor government. Here are some online reactions.
Russia: Wheat Export Ban Triggers Worldwide Panic
A new Russian ban on grain exports, including wheat, has created a panic over how the move will impact wheat prices and food security. Russia is among the world's top five wheat exporters, but crops were devastated this summer as the country was hit with a record-breaking heatwave, severe droughts and wildfires.
Asia: Videos on Drug Abuse and Detention Centers
Drug abuse detention centers in Asia are in the spotlight. Although some Asian drug addicts go in voluntarily to kick their habit, in some places, this has led to routine human rights abuses where people off the street are locked up with no choice, tortured, raped, forced to work for free and denied basic comforts.
Ecuador: Citizens Attempt to Remove President Rafael Correa from Office
Through the web, using YouTube and his blog, journalist Carlos Vera has spread his plan to constitutionally remove President Rafael Correa from office. Other bloggers have also given their opinion on the proposal, which now also includes the removal of some local authorities.
El Salvador: Gangs Paralyze Transportation for 72 Hours
Salvadorian gangs, also known as “Maras” have set a 72-hour curfew, paralyzing public transportation. In her blog, An Unknown Journey with a Known God, Jen Hess shares her experience and insight on the matter.
Peru: Controversy Over Legislative Decree 1097 and Human Rights
The enactment of Legislative Decree 1097 by the Executive led to a wave of criticism; Human Rights advocates claim that members of death squads currently in prison and high-level officials on trial or convicted for violating Human Rights could benefit from the decree. Bloggers also shared their opinion.
Getting to Know the Global Voices Latin America Team
The Global Voices Latin America team of volunteer authors has grown over the past three years. During this transition and the presentation of a new Regional Editor, Silvia Viñas, let's take a look at the diverse community of committed bloggers from this region.
Colombia: Hiperbarrio Bloggers on Violence in Medellín
Violence, murder, theft and crime are a constant in Medellín and its metropolitan area; issues all people must learn to live with and a social phenomenon that has grown in the last year. Bloggers from Rising Voices project Hiperbarrio expressed their feelings and different viewpoints on the matter in personal and group blogs.