Stories about Citizen Media from November, 2010
Azerbaijan: Video blogger Adnan Hajizade released
In a surprise decision, an Appeal Court in Azerbaijan today ordered the conditional release of video blogging youth activist Adnan Hajizade. The news, as well as reaction, quickly spread on Facebook and Twitter.
Brunei: Suicide attempt stirs online buzz
A suicide attempt by a young woman in Brunei generated an online buzz, especially on Facebook and Twitter. Bloggers criticize the "insensitive" jokes and funny reactions made by some netizens about the issue
Russia: Controversy as Cyrillic Domains Hit the Open Market
This post is part of our special coverage Languages and the Internet. On November 11, 2010, registration for Internet domains in Cyrillic script, the writing system used by Russian and other Eastern European and Asian languages, went on the open market. Prior to this, Cyrillic domains could be registered only...
The Nicaragua-Costa Rica Conflict, Revisited: Part I
In a prior post, Global Voices began to cover a border dispute between Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The situation has become more complex. In this first part we review two moments of this crisis as seen from Nicaraguan and Costa Rican blogs: "Google's error", and the role of Edén Pastora, the presidential delegate for the dredging of the Rio San Juan, as a main character in the conflict.
Zambia: Politician jailed for assaulting journalists
A Zambia ruling Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) politician has been jailed for assaulting journalists who had gone to cover President Rupiah Banda at the Lusaka International Airport last July. Zambian netizens react to the court's ruling.
Bolivia: When ancestors return, celebrating the ñatitas
Each year on November 8, Bolivians celebrate the festivity of the ñatitas. The ñatitas are little skulls that are taken from homes to the main cemetery of the Bolivian capital, La Paz, where an ancient ritual takes place.
Russia: Changing Time Zone in Primorsky Krai
Masha Egupova analyzed bloggers' reactions to Primorsky Krai officials' executive decision to change the time zone in order to be closer to Central Russia.
Ecuador: The Government and Social Networking
Use of the Internet and social networks by the government of Ecuador is rapidly increasing. Is this an attempt to increase government transparency, a new media strategy or alternatively, is this the government's way of bypassing the media silence?
Colombia: Twitter Users Report On Clashes Between Armed Groups in Medellín
On the night of November 9th, in the Manrique Santa Inés sector of Medellin, Colombia, several loud shots were heard that the majority of inhabitants associated with gunfire. Quickly Twitter messages appeared, including some from the official Twitter account of the mayor of Medellin Alonso Salazar.
Tanzania: Dar Sketches: From Blog to Book
Dar Sketches is a blog of drawings and creative writing inspired by 'street level” Dar es Salaam. The blog will ultimately be turned into a book. The artist behind Dar Sketches is Sarah Markes, an illustrator and graphic designer who has lived in Dar es Salaam for the last seven years.
Panama: “Previous Controls” on Public Finance Eliminated for Six Institutions
The control that is responsible for monitoring how public funds are invested has been eliminated for six institutions, including the ministries of Health, Public Works and Education. The decision has caused anger among Panamanians, who have expressed their disagreement through Twitter.
South Korea: An Indie Band's Death and the ‘Acorn’ Controversy
Following the death of indie band member Lee Jin-won, Korean bloggers and Twitterers are boiling mad over the music industry's unfair distribution system. Lee is reported to have lived near poverty line, even after his album made minor successes. What shocked most Koreans is a rumor that Lee had been paid in 'Acorns', one internet site's virtual money, which has no value in the offline world.
Technology for Transparency: Five New Cases, With More to Come!
The Technology for Transparency Network is thrilled to announce the start of the publication of our second phase of research. Beginning with five cases — Accountability Initiative in India, Amatora mu mahoro in Burundi, Democrator.ru in Russia, Excelências in Brazil, and Mam Prawo Wiedzieć in Poland — we will be...
Obama's Indonesian Homecoming Charms Residents
Barack Obama thrilled the crowd of over 6,500 excited Indonesians who came to hear the U.S. President address their nation at the University of Indonesia. Reactions from twitter and blogs were equally complimentary
Panama: November, A Month of National Celebration
November is a month of national celebration for Panamanians, and the blogosphere provides another platform to celebrate. A trip around the web shows that in these days, with diversity of styles and concerns, Panamanians not only think about their history, but also about the present, the nation as a project and how to build a better country.
Video: It Gets Better for Queer Youth
The It Gets Better Project was started by Dan Savage as a way of preventing gay teens from committing suicide through videos explaining what gay adult life could be: lots better. And from different corners of the world, other people are also sharing their stories.
Chile: Students Walk More Than a Thousand Kilometers for Public Education
Three Chilean university students began walking this past September 30th. They walk for Chilean education and will cover more than 1000 km through Chile until they arrive in Santiago, the capitol. They march in a peaceful protest against the privatization of education in their country.
Brazil: Female Bloggers React to the Country's First Female President: Yes, She Can!
Dilma Rousseff is the first woman in a group of 35 Brazilian presidents, and will be the first Brazilian in an elite club of 17 female global leaders. What are female bloggers saying about it?
Sudan: Will Africa give birth to a new nation in 2011?
Will Africa give birth to a new nation in 2011? Southern Sudan will hold an a referendum on whether or not it should remain as a part of Sudan on 9 January 2011 as part of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Khartoum central government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement. A simultaneous referendum will be held in Abyei on whether to become part of Southern Sudan.
Azerbaijan: YAPistan
Jafarova's blog [AZ] comments on the results of yesterday's parliamentary elections held in Azerbaijan which saw the ruling YAP party consolidate its grip on power in the oil-rich former Soviet republic. Considering the parliament as simply a body to rubber stamp decisions from the President's Office, the blog says that...
India: Obama Mania
US President Barack Obama is in India now as part of his ten day Asia tour and he has generated a lot of interest in this country of 1.2 billion people. The Indian media got hyped up covering every bit of Obama's action in India and the netizens are also vocal about it.
